Systems and methods for thrombolysis and delivery of an agent

ABSTRACT

A system for aspirating thrombus and delivering an agent includes an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall, and an aspiration lumen having a proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior wall surface adjacent the open distal end, and at least one orifice at or adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen and located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the at least one orifice is configured to create a spray pattern that is caused to impinge on the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen such that the spray pattern upon impinging on the interior wall surface is caused to transform into at least a substantially distally-oriented flow capable of exiting the open distal end of the aspiration lumen.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/480,354, filed on Apr. 5, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/318,972, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein for all purposes. Priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 and 35 U.S.C. § 119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure pertains generally to medical devices and methods of their use. More particularly, the present invention pertains to aspiration and thrombectomy devices and methods of use thereof.

Description of the Related Art

Several devices and systems already exist to aid in the removal of thrombotic material. These include simple aspiration tube type devices using vacuum syringes to extract thrombus into the syringe, simple flush-and-aspirate devices, more complex devices with rotating components the pull in, macerate and transport thrombotic material away from the distal tip using a mechanical auger, systems that use very high pressure to macerate the thrombus and create a venturi effect to flush the macerated material away.

All of the devices described above have limitations as a result of individual design characteristics. For example, simple aspiration catheters offer ease of use and rapid deployment but may become blocked or otherwise inoperable when faced with older, more organized thrombotic material. Such devices must be removed and cleared outside the body and then re-inserted into the vasculature, which lengthens the time needed for the procedure and increases the opportunity to kink the catheter shaft. Such kinks may reduce performance by decreasing the cross-sectional area of the catheter or may render the device inoperable.

Mechanical rotary devices use an auger to grab and carry the thrombus away from the target area. Some create transport force via vacuum bottles while others create differential pressure at the distal tip of the device with the auger acting as a low pressure pump. These devices typically work slowly and offer the physician no feedback as to when the device should be advanced further into the lesion.

Flushing type devices include manual flush type devices in which the physician manipulates a hand-driven pump to provide flowing saline at the tip of the device to break up and aspirate the thrombus material, which may introduce performance variations based on the ability of the physician to consistently pump the device over the duration of the procedure. Flushing devices also include high pressure flushing devices that macerate the thrombus and then, using a vortex created by the high pressure fluid, transport the emulsified thrombotic material to a collection bag. These devices are effective at removing all levels of thrombotic material, but the pressure created by the device is so great that its action against certain vessel walls may interrupt the heart muscle stimulation mechanism and create a bradycardia event in certain patients, sometimes requiring that a pacing lead be placed in the patient prior to use. Further, interacting with the thrombotic material outside of the catheter may allow loose material to escape the capture mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for aspirating thrombus and delivering an agent includes an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall, the aspiration lumen having a proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior wall surface adjacent the open distal end, and at least one orifice at or adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen, the at least one orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the at least one orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern is caused to impinge on the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen when a distal end of the aspiration catheter is immersed within an aqueous environment, and such that the spray pattern upon impinging on the interior wall surface is caused to transform into at least a substantially distally-oriented flow capable of exiting the open distal end of the aspiration lumen.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for delivering an agent includes providing an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and including a supply lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall, an aspiration lumen having a proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior wall surface adjacent the open distal end, and at least one orifice at or adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen, the at least one orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the at least one orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen, inserting the distal end of the aspiration catheter into a blood vessel such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen is adjacent a thrombus, and injecting an agent through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern of the agent generally flows in a first direction out of the at least one orifice and against the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen, whereby after the spray pattern of the agent reaches the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen the majority of the spray pattern of the agent flows in a second direction distally out the open end of the aspiration lumen and adjacent the thrombus, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for visualizing a thrombectomy process includes providing an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, the orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, inserting the distal end of the aspiration catheter into a blood vessel such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen is adjacent a thrombus, injecting fluid including a radiopaque contrast media through the supply lumen while visualizing a radiographic or fluoroscopic image, and identifying a boundary of the thrombus.

In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for aspirating thrombus includes an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, the orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen, and a mandrel having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a curve greater than 90°, and including a concave portion configured to engage a distal end of the aspiration catheter, wherein the orifice is translatable in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the aspiration catheter by traction applied on the mandrel.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for aspirating thrombus includes an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, the orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern impinges on the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen when a distal end of the aspiration catheter is immersed within an aqueous environment, and an elongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including an enlarged portion, wherein the elongate wire is configured to be rotatable such that the enlarged portion is capable of disrupting at least a portion of a thrombus.

In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for removing intracranial blood or thrombus includes a probe having a supply channel and an aspiration channel, the aspiration channel having a distal end and a proximal end, the supply channel having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration channel having an opening at or adjacent its distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply channel and in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration channel, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply channel such that the spray pattern impinges on the interior wall surface of the aspiration channel, and an ultrasound device at or adjacent the opening of the aspiration channel, and configured to operate at a frequency of between about 1 kHz and about 20 MHz.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for removing intracranial blood or thrombus from a patient includes placing an introducer through an aperture formed in the patient's skull, placing a trocar through the introducer, advancing an ultrasound device through the trocar to a treatment location within the intracranial space, transmitting ultrasound energy at one or more frequencies between about 1 kHz and about 20 MHz from the ultrasound device, and removing the blood or thrombus from the patient through a probe having a supply channel and an aspiration channel, the aspiration channel having a distal end and a proximal end, the supply channel having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration channel having an opening at or adjacent its distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply channel and in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration channel, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply channel such that the spray pattern impinges on the interior wall surface of the aspiration channel, wherein the blood or thrombus is removed through the aspiration channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system for aspirating thrombus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing more detail of the proximal portion of the system for aspirating thrombus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the distal end portion of the system for aspirating thrombus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of disposable components of a system for aspirating thrombus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of detail 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of detail 6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of detail 7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of detail 8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a distal end of an aspiration catheter of the system for aspirating thrombus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 9 taken through line 10-10, as viewed within a blood vessel.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of detail 11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is elevation perspective view of a pump base according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a piston of the system for aspirating thrombus being coupled to a saddle of a piston pump.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the distal tip of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a view a cassette for coupling to a pump base.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the cassette of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a partially exploded view of the pump base of FIG. 12.

FIG. 18 is a graph of a pressure vs. time relationship of a piston pump.

FIG. 19 is an elevation view of a piston and a cassette of a piston pump according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a graph of a pressure vs. time relationship of a piston pump.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of disposable components of a system for aspirating thrombus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a detailed view of a catheter of the system for aspirating thrombus of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a detailed view of a tubing set of the system for aspirating thrombus of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of a saline pump drive unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of a disposable piston pump head of the saline pump unit of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of an aspiration catheter of a system for aspirating thrombus within a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of a catheter within a blood vessel delivering a drug to a target site.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 28 with a significant negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 29 with a significant negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 30 with a significant negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 31 with a significant negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 28 with little or no negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 29 with little or no negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 30 with little or no negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 31 with little or no negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 28 with a particular negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 30 with a particular negative pressure applied on the aspiration lumen.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 44A is an end view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 44B is a longitudinal sectional view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45A is an end view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 45B is a longitudinal sectional view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46A is a longitudinal sectional view of an aspiration catheter in a first state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 46B is a longitudinal sectional view of the aspiration catheter of FIG. 46A in a second state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 is a sectional view of a spray pattern of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 48 is a sectional view of a spray pattern of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 49 is a partial cutaway view of a spray pattern of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 50 is a partial cutaway view of a spray pattern of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 51 is a partial cutaway view of a spray pattern of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 52 is a sectional view of a spray pattern of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 53-55 are sectional views of a thrombus/clot being treated by an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 56 is a sectional view an aspiration system including an aspiration catheter and a curved mandrel tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 57 is a sectional view of the aspiration system of FIG. 56 in a deflected state.

FIG. 58 is an elevation view of an aspiration system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 59A is a sectional view of an aspiration system including an aspiration catheter and a spinning wire, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 59B is an elevation view of a rotating device for rotating the spinning wire of the embodiment of FIG. 59A.

FIG. 60 is a sectional view of a system for removing intracranial thrombus or intracranial hematoma through a window, aperture, or hole in the cranium of a patient.

FIG. 61 is an elevation view of a system having multiple fluid sources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 62 is an elevation view of an aspiration system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 63 is a longitudinal sectional view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 64 is a longitudinal sectional view of an aspiration catheter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic figure depicting an assisted aspiration system 10. The aspiration system 10 includes a remote hand piece 12 that contains a fluid pump 26 and an operator control interface 6. In one contemplated embodiment, the system 10 is a single use disposable unit. The aspiration system 10 may also include extension tubing 14, which contains a fluid irrigation lumen 2 (or high pressure injection lumen) and an aspiration lumen 4, and which allows independent manipulation of a catheter 16 without requiring repositioning of the hand piece 12 during a procedure performed with the aspiration system 10. Extension tubing 14 may also act as a pressure accumulator. High pressure fluid flow from the pump 26, which may comprise a displacement pump, pulses with each stroke of the pump 26, creating a sinusoidal pressure map with distinct variations between the peaks and valleys of each sine wave. Extension tubing 14 may be matched to the pump 26 to expand and contract in unison with each pump pulse to reduce the variation in pressure caused by the pump pulses to produce a smooth or smoother fluid flow at tip of catheter 16. Any tubing having suitable compliance characteristics may be used. The extension tubing 14 may be permanently attached to the pump 26 or it may be attached to the pump 26 by a connector 44. The connector 44 is preferably configured to ensure that the extension tubing 14 cannot be attached to the pump 26 incorrectly.

An interface connector 18 joins the extension tubing 14 and the catheter 16 together. In one contemplated embodiment, the interface connector 18 may contain a filter assembly 8 between high pressure fluid injection lumen 2 of the extension tubing 14 and a high pressure injection lumen 36 of the catheter 16 (FIG. 3). The catheter 16 and the extension tubing 14 may be permanently joined by the interface connector 18. Alternatively, the interface connector 18 may contain a standardized connection so that a selected catheter 16 may be attached to the extension tubing 14.

Attached to the hand piece 12 are a fluid source 20 and a vacuum source 22. A standard hospital saline bag may be used as fluid source 20; such bags are readily available to the physician and provide the necessary volume to perform the procedure. Vacuum bottles may provide the vacuum source 22, or the vacuum source 22 may be provided by a syringe, a vacuum pump or other suitable vacuum sources.

In one contemplated embodiment, the catheter 16 has a variable stiffness ranging from stiffer at the proximal end to more flexible at the distal end. The variation in the stiffness of the catheter 16 may be achieved with a single tube with no radial bonds between two adjacent tubing pieces. For example, the shaft of the catheter 16 may be made from a single length of metal tube that has a spiral cut down the length of the tube to provide shaft flexibility. Variable stiffness may be created by varying the pitch of the spiral cut through different lengths of the metal tube. For example, the pitch of the spiral cut may be greater (where the turns of the spiral cut are closer together) at the distal end of the device to provide greater flexibility. Conversely, the pitch of the spiral cut at the proximal end may be lower (where the turns of the spiral cut are further apart) to provide increased stiffness. In some embodiments, a single jacket may cover the length of the metal tube to provide for a vacuum tight catheter shaft. Other features of catheter 16 are described with reference to FIG. 3, below.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing more detail of the hand piece 12 and the proximal portion of assisted catheter aspiration system 10. The hand piece 12 includes a control box 24 where the power and control systems are disposed. The pump 26 may in some embodiments be a motor driven displacement pump that has a constant output. The pump displacement relationship to the catheter volume, along with the location of the orifice 42 (exit) of the catheter high pressure lumen 36 within the aspiration lumen 38 (FIG. 3), ensures that no energy is transferred to the patient from the saline pump as substantially all pressurized fluid is evacuated by the aspiration lumen. A prime button 28 is mechanically connected to a prime valve 30. When preparing the device for use, it is advantageous to evacuate all air from the pressurized fluid system to reduce the possibility of air embolization. By depressing the prime button 28, the user connects the fluid source 20 to the vacuum source 22 via the pump 26. This forcefully pulls fluid (for example 0.9% NaCl solution, or “saline”, or “normal saline”, or heparinized saline) through the entire pump system, removing all air and positively priming the system for safe operation. A pressure/vacuum valve 32 is used to turn the vacuum on and off synchronously with the fluid pressure system. One contemplated valve 32 is a ported one way valve. Such a valve is advantageous with respect to manual or electronic valve systems because it acts as a tamper proof safety feature by mechanically and automatically combining the operations of the two primary systems. By having pressure/vacuum valve 32, the possibility of turning the vacuum on without also activating the fluid system is eliminated.

The operator control interface 6 is powered by a power system 48 (such as a battery or an electrical line), and may comprise an electronic control board 50, which may be operated by a user by use of one or more switches 52 and one or more indicator lamps 54. The control board 50 also monitors and controls several device safety functions, which include over pressure detection, air bubble detection, and vacuum charge. A pressure sensor 64 monitors pressure (i.e. injection pressure), and senses the presence of air bubbles. Alternatively, or in conjunction, an optical device 66 may be used to sense air bubbles. In one contemplated embodiment, the pump pressure is proportional to the electric current needed to produce that pressure. Consequently, if the electric current required by pump 26 exceeds a preset limit, the control board 50 will disable the pump 26 by cutting power to it. Air bubble detection may also be monitored by monitoring the electrical current required to drive the pump 26 at any particular moment. In order for a displacement pump 26 to reach high fluid pressures, there should be little or no air (which is highly compressible) present in the pump 26 or connecting system (including the catheter 16 and the extension tubing 14). The fluid volume is small enough that any air in the system will result in no pressure being generated at the pump head. The control board monitors the pump current for any abrupt downward change that may indicate that air has entered the system. If the rate of drop is faster than a preset limit, the control board 50 will disable the pump 26 by cutting power to it until the problem is corrected. Likewise, a block in the high pressure lumen 36 (FIG. 3), which may be due to the entry of organized or fibrous thrombus, or a solid embolus, may be detected by monitoring the electrical current running the pump 26. In normal use, the current fluxuations of the pump 26 are relatively high. For example, the pump 26 may be configured so that there is a variation of 200 milliAmps or greater in the current during normal operation, so that when current fluxuations drop below 200 milliAmps, air is identified, and the system shuts down. Alternatively, current fluxuations in the range of, for example, 50 milliAmps to 75 milliAmps may be used to identify that air is in the system. Additionally, an increase in the current or current fluxuations may indicate the presence of clot or thrombus within the high pressure lumen 36. For example, a current of greater than 600 milliAmps may indicate that thrombus it partially or completely blocking the high pressure lumen 36, or even the aspiration lumen 38 (FIG. 3).

A vacuum line 56, connected to the vacuum source 22, may be connected to a pressure sensor 58. If the vacuum of the vacuum source 22 is low (i.e. the absolute value pressure has decreased) or if a leak is detected in the vacuum line 56, the control board 50 disables the pump 26 until the problem is corrected. The pressure sensor 58 may also be part of a safety circuit 60 that will not allow the pump 26 to run if a vacuum is not present. Thereby, a comprehensive safety system 62, including the safety circuit 60, the pressure sensor 64 and/or the optical device 66, and the pressure sensor 58, requires both pump pressure and vacuum pressure for the system to run. If a problem exists (for example, if there is either a unacceptably low pump pressure or an absence of significant vacuum), the control board 50 will not allow the user to operate the aspiration system 10 until all problems are corrected. This will keep air from being injected into a patient, and will assure that the aspiration system 10 is not operated at incorrect parameters. Alternatively, in lieu of a direct connection (e.g., electrical, optical), the pressure sensor 58 can be configured to send a wireless signal to the control board 50, or any other component (e.g., antenna) coupled to or in communication with the control board 50, to remotely control operation of the pump 26. The remote control may be possible, whether the pump is within the sterile filed or outside the sterile field.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the distal end portion 68 of the assisted catheter aspiration system 10, showing more details of the catheter 16. The catheter 16 in some embodiments is a single-operator exchange catheter and includes a short guidewire lumen 34 attached to the distal end of the device. The guidewire lumen 34 can be between about 1 and about 30 cm in length, or between about 5 and about 25 cm in length, or between about 5 and about 20 cm in length, or approximately 13.5 cm in length. In other embodiments, a full-length guidewire lumen (extending the length of the catheter 16) may be used. For example, a catheter 16 sized to be used on peripheral blood vessels, including peripheral arteries, may incorporate a full-length guidewire lumen. In some embodiments, the aspiration itself may also serve as a guidewire lumen. An aspiration lumen 38 includes a distal opening 40 which allows a vacuum (for example, from vacuum source 22) to draw thrombotic material into the aspiration lumen 38. A high pressure lumen 36 includes a distal orifice 42 that is set proximally of distal opening 40 by a set amount. For example, distal orifice 42 can be set proximally of distal opening 40 by about 0.508 mm (0.020 inches), or by 0.508 mm±0.076 mm (0.020 inches±0.003 inches) or by another desired amount. The orifice 42 is configured to spray across the aspiration lumen to macerate and/or dilute the thrombotic material for transport to vacuum source 22, for example, by lowering the effective viscosity of the thrombotic material. The axial placement of the fluid orifice 42 is such that the spray pattern interaction with the opposing lumen wall preferably produces a spray mist and not a swirl pattern that could force embolic material out from the distal opening 40. The spray pattern may be present at least when a distal end of the catheter 16 is within an aqueous environment, such as a body lumen, including a blood vessel. The aqueous environment may be at body temperature, for example between about 35.0° C. and about 40.0° C., or between about 36.0° C. and about 38.0° C. The system may be configured so that the irrigation fluid leaves the pump at a pressure of between about 3.447 megapascal (500 pounds per square inch) and about 10.342 megapascal (1500 pounds per square inch). In some embodiments, after a pressure head loss along the high pressure lumen 36, the irrigation fluid leaves orifice 42 at between about 4.137 megapascal (600 pounds per square inch) and about 8.274 megapascal (1200 pounds per square inch), or between about 4.816 megapascal (650 pounds per square inch) and about 5.861 megapascal (850 pounds per square inch).

FIG. 4 illustrates a system for aspirating thrombus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system for aspirating thrombus 100 depicted in FIG. 4 represents disposable components 101, comprising a tubing set 103 and an aspiration catheter 118, which are configured to attach to a vacuum source 22, a fluid source 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2), a pressure monitor (not shown), and a pump base 200 (FIG. 12). The system for aspirating thrombus 100 is also configured to be used with a guidewire. Beginning with the components of the tubing set 103, a spike 102 (shown in more detail in FIG. 5) is configured to couple to a fluid source 20 such as a saline bag. The saline bag may have a volume of saline equal to about 1000 ml or about 500 ml. The saline may comprise normal saline, and may be heparinized, or may contain one or more therapeutic agents. Other fluids may be used in place of normal saline or a saline mixture, including lactated Ringer's solution, hypertonic saline, or even solutions containing blood products. The saline, or other fluid, may be at room temperature, or may be warmed or cooled (e.g., to permanently or temporarily increase or decrease activity). A connector 104 (shown in more detail in FIG. 7), for example a luer connector, is configured to couple to a vacuum source 22. The vacuum source 22 may be a vacuum bottle having a volume of between 20 ml and 500 ml. The vacuum source 22 may instead be a 60 ml syringe whose plunger is pulled back after coupling to the connector 104. This may be a lockable plunger, which is locked in order to maintain the evacuated plunger position. In some cases, the vacuum source 22 may be a 20 ml syringe or a 30 ml syringe. An exemplary syringe with a lockable plunger is the VacLok® syringe sold by Merit Medical Systems, Inc. of South Jordan, Utah, USA. The vacuum source 22 may also be a vacuum pump, with or without a collection container. A pressure transducer 106 capable of measuring vacuum (including positive pressure sensors that are configured to measure positive pressure, but are capable of measuring negative pressure) is coupled to a vacuum line 108 via a y-connector 110. Signals from the pressure transducer 106 travel along a cable 112 (FIG. 7), which also supplies voltage to the pressure transducer 106. A connector 114 (also shown in FIG. 6) couples the cable 112 to a pressure monitor or to the pump base 200. A cassette 116 is a disposable component attachable to the pump base 200 (FIG. 12) for allowing pressurized injection of a liquid injectate (such as saline). The cassette 116 is described in more detail in relation to FIG. 6. The aspiration catheter 118 having a distal end 120 is shown in more detail in FIG. 8.

Turning to FIG. 5, the spike 102 communicates with extension tubing 122. Liquid injectate is pumped downstream at the piston pump, which pulls more liquid injectate (for example from a saline bag) through a check valve 126 and through a supply tube 130. An injection port 128 may be used for injecting other materials into the system, or for removing air or priming the system. The spike 102 may be packaged with a removable protective spike cover 124.

The cassette 116, as seen in FIG. 6, pulls liquid injectate from the supply tube 130, and pressurizes (in conjunction with the pump base 200) an injection tube 152. More detail of the cassette 116 will be described along with the description of the entire piston pump. FIG. 7 shows more detail of the pressure transducer 106 for measuring the vacuum. The pressure transducer 106 connects to the y-connector 110 with a luer fitting 154. The injection tube 152 and the vacuum line 108 communicate to lumens of a catheter shaft 142. For example, the injection tube 152 may be fluidly connected to a distal supply tube 168 (FIGS. 9-11), for example a polyimide or stainless steel or nitinol tube having high strength thin walls. This distal supply tube 168 may reside within the catheter shaft 142, with the annulus between forming an aspiration lumen 160 (FIGS. 9-11). A strain relief 156 protects the catheter shaft 142 from kinking and other damage. In any cases in which luer fittings 154 are used (at any of the connections), a custom luer with an added o-ring may be used in order to allow the connection to withstand elevated pressures. In some embodiments, a bespoke connector may be utilized, to increase high pressure endurance. In some embodiments, pressures as high as 6.89 megapascal (1,200 pounds per square inch) or greater may be achieved without leakage or without causing decoupling of the catheter.

Turning to FIG. 8, the aspiration catheter 118 is illustrated as a single-operator exchange catheter and includes a guidewire tube 132 attached to the distal end 120 on one side of the aspiration catheter 118. The guidewire tube 132 can be between about 1 and about 30 cm in length, or between about 5 and about 25 cm in length, or between about 5 and about 20 cm in length, or approximately 13.5 cm in length. The guidewire tube 132 has a distal end 136 and a proximal end 138, and a single guidewire lumen 134 passing between the two ends 136, 138. The guidewire lumen 134 may be configured to be compatible with a 0.014″ guidewire, a 0.018″ guidewire, or a number of other guidewire diameters. A lumen inner diameter may be about 0.406 mm (0.016 inches) for compatibility with a 0.014″ guidewire. The guidewire tube 132 may be constructed of a number of materials, including nylon, polyethylene, PEBAX®, polyester, PET, or may be constructed from composite or coextruded materials. For example an inner layer may comprise high density polyethylene or FEP, PTFE, ETFE, or other materials for high lubricity, and an outer layer may include PEBAX, nylon or other materials, for combination mechanical strength and flexibility. A tie layer may be used between the inner and outer layers, for example linear low density polyethylene. The catheter 118 may include a composite catheter shaft 142 having an inner support structure 144 covered with a polymer jacket 146. The inner support structure 144 may be a tubular braid or one or more helical coils, for example, made with stainless steel flat or round wires. The inner support structure 144 may also be spiral cut hypodermic tubing, for example made from 304 stainless steel or nickel-titanium. The spiral cut hypodermic tubing may have a pitch measuring about 4 to 6 millimeters, or about 5 millimeters at the proximal end for increased stiffness, transitioning to a pitch of about 0.75 to 1 mm or about 0.87 mm, at the distal end 150 of the inner support structure 144. In between the these two different pitch sections, may be intermediate pitch sections, for example, a section having a pitch of between about 2 mm and about 5 mm, and another section having a pitch of about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm. The inner support structure 144 may end at a transition zone 148, so that the polymer jacket 146 alone extends to the distal end 136 of the aspiration catheter 118. A catheter tip portion 140 is described in more detail in relation to FIGS. 9-11.

FIGS. 9-11 show an open distal end 158 of an aspiration lumen 160 for aspirating thrombus. A skive 162 may be formed in the polymer jacket 146, to aid entry of thrombus 164 that is aspirated into the aspiration lumen 160 (in the direction of arrow 180) by the combination of the vacuum created by the vacuum source 22. The skive 162 also minimizes the chances of the open distal end 158 being sucked against a blood vessel wall 166. A distal supply tube 168 has a closed distal end 170, for example, it may occluded during manufacture using adhesive, epoxy, hot melt adhesive or an interference member. Alternatively, the distal supply tube 168 may be closed off by melting a portion of it. The distal supply tube 168 has a lumen 176 extending its length and an orifice 172 formed through its wall 174 at a location adjacent and proximal to the closed distal end 170. The orifice 172 may have a diameter between about 0.0508 mm (0.002 inches) and about 0.1016 mm (0.004 inches), or about 0.0787 mm (0.0031 inches). The inner diameter of the distal supply tube 168 may be between about 0.3048 mm (0.012 inches) and about 0.4826 mm (0.019 inches), or between about 0.3556 mm (0.014 inches and about 0.4318 mm (0.017 inches) or about 0.3937 mm (0.0155 inches). The lumen 176 of the distal supply tube 168 is a continuation of an overall flow path emanating from the fluid source 20 including the extension tubing 122, the supply tube 130, the interior of the cassette 116, and the injection tube 152. In some embodiments, the lumen 176 of the distal supply tube 168 may taper, for example, from an inner diameter of about 0.3937 mm (0.0155 inches) at a proximal portion to an inner diameter of about 0.2974 mm (0.011 inches) at a distal portion. In some embodiments, the equivalent of a taper may be achieved by bonding different diameter tubing to each other, resulting in a stepped-down tubing inner diameter. In some embodiments, different diameter tapered tubing may be bonded to each other, for a combination of tapering and step-down of diameter. As described in conjunction with the piston pump, a pump output pressure wave of about 4.137 megapascal (600 pounds per square inch) to about 5.516 megapascal (800 pounds per square inch) causes a liquid injectate to flow through the flow path, including a distal supply tube 168 (arrows 182), and causes a fluid jet 178 to exit the orifice 172 at a high velocity. The fluid jet 178, in absence of flow through the aspiration lumen 160 (for example if there is no vacuum), would impinge upon an inner wall 181 of the aspiration lumen 160 directly adjacent the orifice 172. Depending on the amount of vacuum present, the fluid jet, may curve as shown. The fluid jet 178 serves to macerate thrombus 164 that enters the aspiration lumen 160, and dilutes it. The flow rate of the liquid injectate (e.g. saline) and the amount of vacuum are controlled so that about 50% to about 70% of the volume of the mixture of the saline and blood flowing through the proximal aspiration lumen 160 is blood. Or about 60% of the volume is blood. This maceration and dilution assures that there is continuous flow through the aspiration lumen 160 so that it will not clog. The fluid jet 178 is configured to be contained within the aspiration lumen 160, and to not exit into a blood vessel or other body lumen.

The axial center of the orifice 172 is about 0.3302 mm (0.013 inches) to about 0.8382 mm (0.033 inches), or about 0.4064 mm (0.016 inches) to about 0.6604 mm (0.026 inches) proximal to the most proximal portion of the open distal end 158, as illustrated by distance D in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a cross-section of the catheter tip portion 140 at the axial center of the orifice 172. The orifice 172 it is oriented approximately along a vertical midline 184 of the aspiration lumen 160, or within a range of ±a, there where angle a is about 20°. The angle a, may be varied in different embodiments between about 1° and about 45°, or between about 20° and about 35°. The guidewire tube 132 may be secured to the polymer jacket 146 with attachment materials 186, such as adhesive, epoxy, hot melt or other materials. The guidewire tube 132 may be secured along its entire length, or at discrete locations along its length, in order to maximize flexibility. The distal supply tube 168 may be secured within the aspiration lumen 160 with attachment materials 188, such as adhesive, epoxy, hot melt or other materials. The polymer jacket 146 may comprise a number of different materials, including PEBAX, nylon, or polyurethane. In some embodiments, the polymer jacket may be partially melt bonded to the distal supply tube 162 and/or the guidewire tube 132, in order to minimize the wall thickness of the assembly.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pump base 200 for coupling the cassette 116 of the system for aspiration of thrombus 100. A housing 202 is attached to an IV pole clamp 204, and contains the control circuitry and the motor for operating a piston pump system 300 (FIG. 13) which comprises the combined pump base 200 and the cassette 116. By action of a motor and cam within the pump base 200, a saddle 206 is cyclically actuated (up and down) within a window 208 to move a piston 210 within the cassette 116 (FIG. 13). Pegs 212 of the cassette 116 insert into cavities 216 in the pump base 200. Biased snaps 214 lock into one or more grooves 218 in the pump base 200. Either the cavities 216 or the grooves 218, may have one or more switches which sense the presence of the cassette 116. For example, the cassette for one particular model may have a first number (or combination) of pegs 212 or biased snaps 214, which another particular model may have a different number (or combination) of pegs 212 or biased snaps 214, which is recognized by the system. A smooth surface 224 of an elastomeric frame 222 engages edges 220 of the cassette 116, for enhanced protection. An upper space 226 is configured to engage, or closely match the supply tube 130 and a lower space 228 is configured to engage, or closely match the injection tube 152. The saddle 206 has a semi-cylindrical cavity 236 which snaps over a cylindrical engagement surface 238 on the piston 210. The saddle also has an upper edge 240 and a lower edge 242 for axially engaging a first abutment 244 and a second abutment 246, respectively, of the piston 210. A user interface 230 on the pump base 200 has one or more buttons 232 and one or more indicators 234, which allow the user to operate and assess the operation of the system 100. For example, the buttons may include a start button to begin pumping, a stop button to stop pumping, a prime button to prime the system with a fluid injectate and purge out air, or a temporary pause button. Other data entry keys are also possible. The cassette 116 may include one or more interface components 248. For example, a resistor, whose value the pump base 200 is able to measure via contacts 247, 249 when the cassette 116 is attached to the pump base 200. This allows the pump base 200 to determine the appropriate parameter for operating a specific model of the system 100. For example, a first resistor having a first resistance may be used with a first model and a second resistor having a second resistance may be used with another model. Alternatively, the interface component 248 may incorporate an RFID chip, such as a read RFID chip or a read/write RFID chip. This may allow specific data (pump operating pressures, RPM of motor output, etc.) to be recorded within the pump base 200 or to connected hardware and identified for each patient.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the cassette 116 with most of its internal components visible. FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the cassette 116. The cassette 116 comprises an internal supply cylinder 252 and an internal injection cylinder 254, which are cylindrical cavities extending within the cassette 116. The piston 210 includes a supply side shaft 256 and an injection side shaft 258, the supply side shaft 256 including an o-ring 266 for sealably interfacing with the supply cylinder 252 and the injection side shaft 258 including an o-ring 268 for sealably interfacing with the injection cylinder 254. Each of the o-rings 266, 268 are within a cylindrical groove 290, 292 around each respective shaft portion 256, 258. An internal ball valve 272 (FIG. 16) stops injectate (saline) from flowing through an internal channel 274 in the supply side shaft 256 of the piston 210 when the piston 210 moves in a first direction 276, but the internal ball valve 272 allows injectate to flow through the internal channel 274 and through an internal channel 282 in the injection side shaft 258 when the piston 210 moves in a second direction 278. The ball valve 272 is axially held between a spherical annular recess 284 in the interior of the supply side shaft 256 and a recess having thru channels 286 in the injection side shaft 258. The supply side shaft 256 and the injection side shaft 258 may be held together with a threaded connection 288. When the piston 210 moves in the first direction 276, the injection side shaft 258 of the piston 210 and o-ring 268 force injectate through the injection tube 152. A protective tube 280 is shown over the injection tube 152. In FIG. 15, the injection side shaft 258 is shown at the bottom of an injection pulse. Injectate is filtered through an in-line filter 262, which may be a 40 to 50 micron filter, having an approximate thickness of 0.762 mm (0.030 inches). The in-line filter 262 is configured to keep particulate out of the injectate. Even though injectate is circulated through the aspiration catheter 118, and not into the blood vessel, the filtering provided by the in-line filter 262 is an extra safety step. However, this step helps assure that particulate does not block the small orifice 172 (FIG. 11). When the piston 210 moves in the second direction 278, the supply side shaft 256 of the piston 210 and the o-ring 266 sealably move together within the supply cylinder 252, but the ball valve 272 allows the injectate to pass through the internal channels 274, 282 of the piston 210 and fill the injection cylinder 254. The injectate is able to enter from the supply tube 130 through a check valve assembly 270 comprising an o-ring 264 and a check valve 250. The check valve 250 allows injectate to enter the interior of the cassette 116 from the supply tube 130, but not to move from the cassette 116 to the supply tube 130. The check valve 250 may be configured so that air, due at least in part to its low viscosity, will not be able to cause the check valve 250 to move (open), thus not allowing air to progress through the system. In some embodiments, the piston 210 may be a single piece (monolithic) design with a bore into which a check-valve is press-fit or bonded. A check valve compatible with this assembly may be supplied by the Lee Company of Westbrook, Conn., USA.

The volume of injectate injected per cycle may range from about 0.02 ml to about 41 ml, or from about 0.04 ml to about 2.0 ml, or about 0.06 ml to about 0.08 ml, or about 0.07 ml. The usable volume (volume that can be injected) of the injection cylinder 254 may be configured to be less than the usable volume (volume that can be filled from) of the supply cylinder 252, in order to assure sufficient filling of the injection cylinder 254. For example, the usable volume of the injection cylinder 254 may be about 0.05 ml to about 0.12 ml, and the usable volume of the supply cylinder 252 may be about 0.07 ml to about 0.16 ml. A usable volume ratio R_(U) of between about 1.15 and about 2.00, or between about 1.25 and about 1.85, or about 1.40 is contemplated, where:

R _(U) =V _(SCU) /V _(ICU), wherein:

V_(SCU)=Usable volume of the supply cylinder 252, and

V_(ICU)=Usable volume of the injection cylinder 254.

A mean flow rate of between about 5 ml/minute and about 100 ml/minute. In some embodiments for use in coronary applications, 20 ml/minute may be desired. In some embodiments for use in peripheral applications, 50 ml/minute may be desired.

FIG. 18 illustrates a graph 600 of a pressure (P) vs. time (T) curve 602 of a piston pump. Peaks 604 and valley 606 of the curve 602 can be dependent upon the design of the piston and cylinders of the piston pump, particularly of the usable volume ratio R_(U). Turning to FIG. 19, a piston 608 is illustrated having a first diameter D₁ and a second diameter D₂ measured at the compressed o-rings 601, 603 (when placed within cylinders 605 and 607 of a cassette 609). The diameters of the cylinders 605, 607 are thus also defined as diameters D₁ and D₂. When the diameters D₁, D₂, and the lengths of the cylinders 605, 607 are adjusted such that the usable volume ratio R_(U) is optimized as previously described, a curve 610 as illustrated in FIG. 20 may be produced. The curve 610 has less-defined peaks 614 and valleys 616, and thus produces less variation of flow amplitude, and a more balanced injection.

The partially exploded pump base 200 in FIG. 17 illustrates the internal mechanisms for linear (up and down) actuation of the saddle 206, which is attached to a saddle stage 310. A motor 302 is controlled by a circuit board 304 and operated by the user interface 230 (FIG. 12), whose indicators 234 are lit by LEDs 306. The motor 302 turns a cam 316, in which includes a path 330. The saddle stage 310 has a pin 318 extending from its back side. The pin 318 may be press fit, bonded or screwed in place within the saddle stage 310. The saddle stage 310 is secured with screws to two slides 312, 314 through holes 326, 328, such that rotary motion of the cam 316 causes the pin 318 to track along the path 330 of the cam 316, thus causing the saddle stage 310 attached to the slides 312, 314 to slide upward and downward in cyclic motion. The shape of the cam determines the amount of acceleration and deceleration in the motion. Upper posts 322 and lower posts 324 serve as guides and/or stops of the saddle stage 310. The connector 114 of the pressure transducer 106 for measuring vacuum may be plugged into socket 308 (also shown in FIG. 12), and pressure related signals may be processed by the circuit board 304. The entire pump base 200 is reusable.

The inner contour diameter of the cam 316 may be sized and/or shaped to control the stroke length of the piston 210 and the amount of pulsatility (i.e., the difference between the high and low pressure). In some cases, decreasing the stroke length decreases the amount of pulsatility. In applications within the heart, such as coronary artery applications, lowering the amount of pulsatility can reduce the incidence of bradycardia. To compensate for a lower stroke length, and to maintain a sufficient total flow rate, the speed of the rotation of the cam (i.e. rotations per minute), can be increased, for example by increasing motor output speed, either by gearing or by increased applied voltage.

Another embodiment of a system for aspirating thrombus 800 is illustrated in FIG. 21. The system for aspirating thrombus 800 includes, three major components: the pump base 200 of FIG. 12, an aspiration catheter 818, and a tubing set 803. The aspiration catheter 818 and the tubing set 803 represent disposable components 801, and the pump base 200 is a reusable component. It is not necessary to sterilize the pump base 200 as it is kept in a non-sterile field or area during use. The aspiration catheter 818 and the tubing set 803 may each be supplied sterile, after sterilization by ethylene oxide gas, electron beam, gamma, or other sterilization methods. The aspiration catheter 818 may be packaged and supplied separately from the tubing set 803, or the aspiration catheter 818 and the tubing set 803 may be package together and supplied together. Alternatively, the aspiration catheter 818 and tubing set may be packaged separately, but supplied together (i.e., bundled). As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The aspiration catheter 818 and tubing set 803 share many of the same features as the aspiration catheter 118 and tubing set 103 of FIG. 4, but are configured to allow easier separation from each other, and additional procedural adaptability. The aspiration catheter 818 has a distal end 820 comprising a guidewire tube 832 having a distal tip 836, and a proximal end 819 comprising a y-connector 810. The catheter shaft 842 of the aspiration catheter 818 is connected to the y-connector 810 via a protective strain relief 856. In other embodiments, the catheter shaft 842 may be attached to the y-connector 810 with a luer fitting. The y-connector 810 may comprise a first female luer 851 which communicates with a catheter supply lumen (as in the catheter 118 of FIGS. 4, 8-11), and a second female luer 855 which communicates with a catheter aspiration lumen (as in catheter 118 of FIGS. 4, 8-11).

Turning to FIG. 23, the tubing set 803 is shown in more detail. A spike 802 for coupling to a fluid source 20 (FIG. 1) allows fluid to enter through extension tubing 822 and a check valve 826, and into supply tube 830. An optional injection port 828 allows injection of materials or removal of air, as described in relation to previous embodiments. A cassette 816 is used in conjunction with the pump base 200, and is similar in structure and function to the cassette 116 in FIGS. 15-16. Fluid is pumped into injection tube 852 from cassette 816. A male luer 854 is configured to attach to the female luer 851 of the y-connector 810.

Returning to FIG. 21, accessories 857 are illustrated that are intended for applying a vacuum source 22, including a syringe 849 having a plunger 867, to the catheter 818. The syringe 849 is attached to syringe extension tubing 859 via the luer 865 of the syringe 849. A stopcock 847 may be used to hold maintain the vacuum, or the plunger 867 may be a locking variety of plunger. A luer 861 of the syringe extension tubing 859 is connected to an pressure transducer 806, the pressure transducer 806 having a male luer 863 for connection to a connector (e.g., female luer) 804 of vacuum line 808. A male luer 853 at the end of the vacuum line 808 may be detachably secured to the female luer 855 of the y-connector 810 of the aspiration catheter 818. Signals from the pressure transducer 806 are carried through cable 812 to a connector 814. The connector 814 is plugged into the socket 308 (FIG. 12) of the pump base 200. Pressure related signals may be processed by the circuit board 304 of the pump base 200. The pressure transducer 806 may be power from the pump base 200, via cable 812. The accessories 857 may also be supplied sterile to the user.

In use, the pump base 200 resides outside the sterile field. Because operation of the pump base 200 may be controlled by the presence or absence of a pressure, a user who is working in the sterile field may turn the pump on or off without touching the non-sterile pump base 200. For example, the pump may be started by placing a vacuum on the system (e.g., pulling the plunger 867 of the syringe 849). The pump may in turn be stopped by removing the vacuum on the system (unlocking the plunger 867 of the syringe 849 and allowing to release, or opening the stopcock 847). The syringe 849 or the combination syringe 849 and stopcock 847 may act as a sterile on/off button of the pump vase 200. Alternatively, the aspiration catheter 818 may be initially used without the pump base 200, with only aspiration being applied to the aspiration lumen. If in certain cases, if the aspiration lumen becomes clogged, the distal end 820 of the aspiration catheter 818 may be backed off of the thrombus, and the pump base 200 and tubing set 803 may be coupled to the aspiration catheter 818, to then operate with forced saline injection, for increased aspiration, and clear the aspiration lumen. This will also help stop any thrombus that is blocking the aspiration lumen from being inadvertently delivered into the blood vessel of the patient.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a saline pump drive unit 400 having a completely disposable pump head 500. The saline pump drive unit 400 is configured to be usable with the catheters 16, 118 described herein, or other embodiments of aspiration systems comprising fluid injection. In FIG. 24, a bottom case 402 and a top case 404 having a label 406 are secured together with screws 408. Contained within the bottom case 402 and top case 404 are a battery pack 410 and an electronic control module 412. A battery cover 416 holds the battery pack 410 in place. In some embodiments, the battery pack 410 may supply a voltage of 18 Volts DC, but systems utilizing other voltages are possible. A user interface 414 enables operation of the saline pump drive unit. A vacuum bottle sleeve 418 may be used when a vacuum bottle is incorporated as the vacuum source 22. A spike 420 is connectable to a fluid source 20, and fluid injectate passes from the fluid source 20 through extension tubing 422 to a disposable piston pump head 500. Saline may be primed through the system by an automatic priming (“self-priming”) system described herein in relation to prior embodiments, or may be primed by gravity from a saline bag that is located (for example on an IV pole) above the rest of the system. A valve on the lowest portion of the system may be opened in order to prime the entire system.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the disposable piston pump head 500 is configured to couple to a motor shaft 504 of a motor 502, that is powered by the battery pack 410 of the saline pump drive unit 400. A motor plate 506 and a main body 508 of the disposable piston pump head 500 are secured to each other with screws 510, and hold the internal components of the disposable piston pump head 500. First and second follower plates 512, 514 are held together with screws 516 and bosses 518 extending from the first follower plate 512. The first and second follower plates 512, 514 rotatably hold a cam 520. The cam may be asymmetric (as illustrated) or alternatively may be symmetric. The asymmetry may be incorporated in order to control the amount of noise in the pump, the contours serving to customize the shape of the pressure wave, and of the function of the pump. First and second bushings 522, 524 are rotatably held on first and second pins 526, 528. The pins 526, 528 insert into cylindrical cavities 530, 532 in each of the follower plates 512, 514.

In use, a user attaches the disposable piston pump head 500 to the motor 502 of the saline pump drive unit 400 by bringing the motor plate 506 close to the motor shaft 504 so that a d-shaped hole 534 in the cam 520 can be pressed over the d-shaped motor shaft 504. Alternatively, the d-shapes may be other non-circular shapes, including, but not limited to elliptical, oval, or rectangular. In operation the motor 502 turns the motor shaft 504, which in turn turns the cam 520. The cam 520 turns, forcing the bushings 522, 524 to push the first and second follower plates 512, 514 back and forth in a first direction 536 and a second direction 538. A saddle 544 is carried on the second follower plate 514, and a piston 210 may be coupled to the saddle 544 in the same manner as described herein with other embodiments. A supply cylinder 552 and an injection cylinder 554 in the main body 508 are analogous to the supply cylinder 252 and injection cylinder 254 of the cassette 116 of the system 100. The piston 210 of the cassette 116 may be used in the disposable piston pump head 500. The labelled components related to the piston 210 in FIG. 25 are similar to those described in relation to the piston 210 in FIGS. 15 and 16. The outer diameter of the cam 520 may be sized and/or shaped to control the stroke length of the piston 210 and the amount of pulsatility (i.e., the difference between the high and low pressure). In some cases, decreasing the stroke length decreases the amount of pulsatility. In applications within the heart, such as coronary artery applications, lowering the amount of pulsatility can reduce the incidence of bradycardia. To compensate for a lower stroke length, and to maintain a sufficient total flow rate, the speed of the rotation of the cam (i.e. rotations per minute), can be increased, for example by increasing motor output speed, either by gearing or by increased applied voltage. A vacuum spike 546 is used for coupling to the vacuum source 22, for example a vacuum bottle held within the vacuum bottle sleeve 418. A vacuum switch valve 540, which is activated against the bias of a spring 542, may be used to allow pump activation. For example, the electronic control module 412 may be configured to initiate the operation of the motor 502 automatically when the vacuum switch valve 540 sends a signal corresponding to movement of the vacuum switch valve 540, which occurs when a significant vacuum is achieved. This control may be instead of or in addition to control from a vacuum pressure transducer, such as pressure transducer 106. The turning on of the vacuum may thus be used to simultaneously turn on the motor 502, so that a single input begins the operation of the saline pump drive unit 400. Additionally, a vacuum source 22 may be controlled by the electronic control module 412 (for example, by opening or closing a solenoid), when a minimum injectate pressure is measured by an additional pressure transducer. For example, when a pressure of about 0.62 megapascal (90 pounds per square inch) or greater is measured, the vacuum may be activated or communicated to the system. An advantage of the saline pump drive unit 400 is that the user is required only to assemble a single component onto the shaft 504 of the motor 502.

As previously described, the systems according to any of the embodiments of the present invention may be configured such that active flow of saline (or other) injectate is not possible without concurrent vacuum being applied for aspiration. Also, the systems may be configured such aspiration is not possible without saline (or other) injectate flow. The systems according to any of the embodiments of the present invention may be configured such that current driving the pump (for example the current driving the motor 302, 502) is monitored, or by any alternative monitoring method, such that when a change in condition occurs, for example, air in the injection system, or clogs in any of the catheter lumens or extension tubes, or leaks within the system, the system shuts down, in order to avoid events such as injection of air into the blood vessels, or catheter or system failure.

FIG. 26 illustrates an aspiration catheter 700 inserted within a blood vessel 165. The aspiration catheter 700 includes a guidewire lumen 702 secured to the distal end 704 of the aspiration catheter 700 which allows the aspiration catheter 700 to be tracked over a guidewire 706. A supply lumen 708 is secured within an aspiration lumen 710. The supply lumen 708 extends through a tapering tube 712. In some embodiments, the tapering tube 712 may be constructed of polyimide. In some embodiments, the tapering tube 712 may have a luminal inner diameter that tapers from its proximal end to its distal end. For example, in some embodiments, the luminal inner diameter may taper from about 0.3937 mm (0.0155 inches) to about 0.2794 mm (0.011 inches). The supply lumen 708 extends generally parallel to the aspiration lumen 710, however a distal end 714 of the tapering tube 712 curves towards an interior wall surface 716 of the aspiration lumen 710, thus allowing an open end 718 of the supply lumen 708 to act as an orifice for applying a spray pattern 720. The open end 718 of the supply lumen 708 may further promote a jet or spray effect by having an internal diameter that is less than about 0.203 mm (0.008 inches). In some embodiments, the open end 718 of the supply lumen 708 may have an internal diameter that is between about 0.076 mm (0.003 inches) and about 0.102 mm (0.004 inches). The center of the open end 718 orifice may in some embodiments be about 0.3302 mm (0.013 inches) to about 0.4826 mm (0.019 inches) proximal to the most proximal portion 724 of the open distal end 722 of the aspiration lumen 710, as illustrated by distance D in FIG. 26. The most distal portion 726 of the open distal end 722 of the aspiration lumen 710 is slightly distal of the most proximal portion 724 in the embodiment illustrated, and thus has an angled skive, but the skive angle A_(s) is not severe. A skive angle A_(s) of between about 75° and about 89°, or between about 80° and about 85° may be used, in order to allow a large portion of thrombus being pulled into the open distal end 722 of the aspiration lumen 710 to be struck by high velocity exiting jet (e.g. saline) flow, as illustrated with the spray pattern 720.

FIG. 27 illustrates the catheter 700 of FIG. 26 being utilized to deliver a drug 730 to a target site 732 within a blood vessel 165. The target site 732 may include an atherosclerotic lesion 728 and/or a thrombus 734. Whereas the aspiration of thrombus, as in FIG. 26, involves actively applying a vacuum (e.g., from a vacuum source) on the aspiration lumen 710, the drug delivery illustrated in FIG. 27, though utilizing the same catheter 700, allows the metering of a fine, precision volume flow rate of drug 730 to be delivered into the vessel. This is achieved by having significantly less vacuum applied to the aspiration lumen 710, or no vacuum applied to the aspiration lumen. The precision metering in small, controlled volumes, provides efficient use of typically expensive drugs, with minimal wasted drug. In addition, the relatively small volume, or dead space, of the supply lumen 708, because of its relatively small diameter, assures that upon stopping the infusion of a drug 730, very little volume of inadvertent injection is even possible.

In some embodiments, the drug 730 may be delivered at body temperature. In other embodiments, the drug 730 may be warmed, and delivered at an elevated temperature, for example, to increase the activity and effectiveness of a drug. This may be done, for example, to get a more effective dose, with a smaller volume of drug. In other embodiments, the drug 730 may be cooled and delivered at a reduced temperature (i.e., in relation to the body temperature). The drug 730 may be cooled to control the activity level, or to delay the activity of the drug (e.g., so that it is active downstream, at a location that is not reachable by the catheter 700). In some cases, the drug 730 may be cooled in order to apply a conjunctive therapeutic cooling effect on the tissue being treated. In some cases, the therapeutic cooling effect may be achieved from cooled saline or other aqueous non-drug media alone.

Some of the drugs 730 which may be delivered include thrombolytic agents (clot busting drugs), such as streptokinase, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), recombinant or genetically-engineered tissue plasminogen activator, tenecteplase (TNK), urokinase, staphylokinase, and reteplase. Alternatively, stem cells or “cocktails” containing stem cells may be delivered. In some cases, glycoprotein inhibitos (GPI's) may be injected through the supply lumen 708 of the aspiration catheter 700. Saline or other aqueous solutions may be delivered alone for selective dilution of blood at the target site 732. In some applications, a solution may be used which is capable of exhibiting a phase change, for example, when its pressure or temperature is changed. In these applications, a liquid may be injected that becomes a gas when exiting from a small orifice, for example at the open end 718 of the supply lumen 708. Alternatively, a gas may be injected that becomes a liquid when being force through a small orifice, such as the open end 718 of the supply lumen 708. In any of the applications in which drugs 730 or other materials are injected intravascularly through the catheter 700, the injection of the drugs 730 or other materials may occur before, during, after, or instead of an aspiration procedure. Returning to the aspiration catheter 818 of FIGS. 21-22, if, during an aspiration procedure, it is desired to deliver drugs down the supply lumen and into the vessel, the tubing set 803 may be removed from the aspiration catheter 818 by disconnecting the male luer 854 of the tubing set 803 from the female luer 851 of the aspiration catheter 818, and the drug may be injected directly into the supply lumen at the female luer 851, for example, by a syringe or metering system, including a syringe/syringe pump combination. By also removing the vacuum source from the female luer 855 of the aspiration catheter 818, when aspiration lumen now serves as an overflow, so that the fluid being delivered into the patient (e.g., intravascularly) is maintained at a controlled rate. The volume of the supply lumen is relatively very small, so only a small volume of drug is needed to fill the supply lumen, and thus reach the distal top of the aspiration catheter 818. This, at the end of the procedure, very little drug is wasted, or needs to be disposed, allowing for a very cost-effective procedure.

In the embodiments described herein, a sterile fluid path is provided extending all the way from the fluid source 20 to the distal opening 40/open distal end 158 of the catheter 16, 118. In both the embodiments of the system 100 of FIGS. 4-17, the system 800 of FIGS. 21-23, and the embodiments of FIGS. 24-25, a disposable catheter and disposable pump set are configured to be supplied sterile, and coupled to a non-sterile (reusable) pump base 200 or pump motor 502. These combinations allow for reusability of the more expensive components, and for reusability (and maximized sterility) of the less expensive components, thus maximizing cost containment and patient safety at the same time. Turning to FIG. 61, a system 1500 comprising an aspiration catheter 1502 includes a first fluid source 1504 and a second fluid source 1506. A tubing set 1508 having a first spike 1510 and second spike 1512 is configured for coupling to the first interface 1514 of the first fluid source 1504 and the second interface 1516 of the second fluid source 1506. The tubing set 1508 further comprises a y-fitting 1518 for receiving fluid from the first fluid source 1504 and second fluid source 1506 and passing it through the supply lumen 1520 of the aspiration catheter 1502. A first clamp 1522 may be used to open or close the supply from the first fluid source 1504 and a second clamp 1524 may be used to open or close the supply from the second fluid source 1506. In a first condition, the first clamp 1522 is open and the second clamp 1524 is closed, and so only fluid from the first fluid source 1504 is passed on to the supply lumen 1520 of the aspiration catheter 1502. In a second condition, the first clamp 1522 is closed and the second clamp 1524 is open, and so only fluid from the second fluid source 1506 is passed on to the supply lumen 1520 of the aspiration catheter 1502. In a third condition, the first clamp 1522 is open or partially open and the second clamp 1524 is open or partially open, and so fluid from the first fluid source 1504 and fluid from the second fluid source 1506 are passed on to the supply lumen 1520 of the aspiration catheter 1502. In some cases, the first fluid source 1504 may be at a different temperature than the second fluid source 1506. In other cases, the first fluid source 1504 may contain a different type of fluid than the second fluid source 1506. In some embodiments, a Pinnacle High Flow Y-adapter set (B/Braun, Bethlehem, Pa., USA) may be used to couple to the first fluid source 1504 and the second fluid source 1506.

FIG. 28 illustrates an aspiration catheter 900 including a shaft 901 having an aspiration lumen 902 and a supply tube 903 having a supply lumen 904 (high pressure lumen). The supply tube 903 is secured to an inner wall 906 of the shaft 901, for example, by adhesive, epoxy, mechanical securement, or thermal bonding or tacking. The supply lumen 904 is configured to carry pressurized fluid 912, which may include saline, lytic (thrombolytic) agents, contrast agents, or other agents. In use, the pressurized fluid 912 exits in a spray pattern 914 from an orifice 908 adjacent the distal end 910 of the supply lumen 904, impinging against an interior wall surface 916 of the aspiration lumen 902. The agent or agents may be undiluted or may be diluted (e.g., with saline). A jet spray impact 911 against the interior wall surface 916 may form a distal component and/or a proximal component, as described in further detail in FIGS. 32, 36, and 40. The distal component or proximal component may be substantially distally-oriented or substantially proximally-oriented, in part or in whole, because of factors such as: the particular level of positive pressure of the pressurized fluid 912 within the supply lumen 904, or because of the particular geometry of the orifice 908, or because of the particular level of negative pressure on the aspiration lumen 902, or because of the particular geometry of the interior wall surface 916, separately, or in any type of combination. A pump, syringe, or other source of pressurization may be coupled to the proximal end of the supply lumen 904, to allow pressurization or pulsation of the supply lumen 904. In some embodiments, the pump base 200 (FIG. 12) may be used to supply and pressurize the supply lumen 904 with the fluid 912. The supply tube 903 includes a plug 918 which blocks the end of the supply lumen 904, forcing pressurized fluid 912 through the orifice 908 and into the aspiration lumen 902, and, when operated to supply sufficient pressure, against the interior wall surface 916.

The spray pattern 914 may be directed by the orifice 908 toward the interior wall surface 916 perpendicularly (i.e., at a 90° angle) 914 a in relation to the longitudinal axis 917 of the aspiration catheter 900 and/or may impact the interior wall surface 916 at an oblique angle that is distally-oriented 914 b or an oblique angle that is proximally-oriented 914 c. The spray pattern 914 may comprise two or three of these elements 914 a, 914 b, 914 c together.

An alternative embodiment of an aspiration catheter 915 is illustrated in FIG. 29, and includes a shaft 921 having an aspiration lumen 922 and a supply tube 923 having a supply lumen 924 (high pressure lumen). The supply tube 923 is secured to an inner wall 926 of the shaft 921. The supply lumen 924 is configured to carry pressurized fluid 912, which may include saline, lytic (thrombolytic) agents, contrast agents, or other agents. The agent or agents may be undiluted or may be diluted (e.g., with saline). The pressurized fluid 912 exits in a spray pattern 919 from an orifice 928 adjacent the distal end 920 of the supply lumen 924 and impinges against an interior wall surface 909 of the aspiration lumen 922. The interior wall surface 909 includes an additional element 929 (e.g., deflection element) which is configured for deflecting at least a portion of the spray pattern 919 either proximally or distally. The deflection element 929 includes a forward ramp 927 and a reverse ramp 925 which converge at a dividing line 931. The forward ramp 927 is configured to deflect at least a portion of the spray pattern 919 distally and the reverse ramp 925 is configured to deflect at least a portion of the spray pattern 919 proximally. A jet spray impact against the interior wall surface 909 may include a distal component and/or a proximal component, as described in further detail in FIGS. 33 and 37. In other embodiments, the interior wall surface 909 may simply be a deformation of a portion of the inner wall 926 itself. The deformation may take the place of the deflection element 929 and thus act as the deflection element 929. The deformation may an angulation or formation of the distal end 907 of the aspiration catheter 900 that causes the inner wall 926 to have, for example, one or more ramps or angled, or curvilinear surfaces.

A distal component or proximal component may be substantially distally-oriented or substantially proximally-oriented in part or in whole because of factors such as: the particular level of positive pressure of the pressurized fluid 912 within the supply lumen 924, or because of the particular geometry of the orifice 928, or because of the particular level of negative pressure on the aspiration lumen 922, or because of the particular geometry of the interior wall surface 909, separately, or in any type of combination. A pump, syringe, or other source of pressurization may be coupled to the proximal end of the supply lumen 924, to allow pressurization or pulsation of the supply lumen 924. The supply tube 923 includes a plug 932 which blocks the distal end 920 of the supply lumen 924, forcing pressurized fluid 912 through the orifice 928 and into the aspiration lumen 922 and, when operated to supply sufficient pressure, against the interior wall surface 909 comprising ramps 925, 927. In some embodiments, a portion of the spray pattern 919 that strikes the forward ramp 927 is deflected distally. In some embodiments, a portion of the spray pattern 919 that strikes the reverse ramp 925 is deflected proximally. In some embodiments, the specific amount of negative pressure being applied on the aspiration lumen 922 (e.g., by a vacuum source) controls how much of the spray pattern 919 impinges upon each of the ramps 925, 927.

In the aspiration catheter 915 of FIG. 29, the ramps 925, 927 of the element 929 extend from the dividing line 931in a linear fashion, wherein the effective inner radius of the aspiration lumen changes linearly in relation to the longitudinal location along the ramp 925, 927. In contrast, FIG. 30 illustrates an aspiration catheter 934 having non-linear ramps 942, 944 (e.g., curvilinear) extending between a dividing line 933. The aspiration catheter 934 includes a shaft 935 having an aspiration lumen 936 and a supply tube 937 having a supply lumen 938 (high pressure lumen). The aspiration catheter 934 further includes a deflection element 940 with ramps 942, 944 that each include a concave contour 946, 948, such that the effective inner radius of the aspiration lumen changes non-linearly in relation to the longitudinal location along the ramp 942, 944. In some embodiments, the deflection element 940 may be configured for directing and/or deflecting a spray pattern 947 (emanating from orifice 949) that is narrow and/or that comprises a jet. In other embodiments, the deflection element 929 of the aspiration catheter 915 of FIG. 29 may be configured for directing and/or deflecting a spray pattern 919 that is wider or which significantly diverges or spreads.

FIG. 31 illustrates an aspiration catheter 950 which includes a shaft 951 having an aspiration lumen 952 and a supply tube 953 having a supply lumen 954 (high pressure lumen). The aspiration catheter 950 further includes a deflection element 956 with a single distally-oriented ramp 958 which is configured to deflect at least a portion of a spray pattern 960 emanating from an orifice 962 in a substantially distal direction.

FIG. 32 illustrates the aspiration catheter 900 of FIG. 28 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 32 illustrates the aspiration catheter 900 in a first mode of operation configured to cause substantial aspiration of thrombi 966. A venturi effect is created by the spray pattern 914, which may comprise a jet. Suction is thus created at the distal opening 968 of the aspiration lumen 902 causing the thrombi 966 to be aspirated into the aspiration lumen 902. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 902 (e.g., with a vacuum source, such as a syringe, vacuum chamber or vacuum pump), thus maintaining the flow of the thrombi 966 through the aspiration lumen 902. The impingement of the spray pattern 914 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the interior wall surface 916 of the aspiration lumen 902, opposite the orifice 908, may also macerate the thrombi 966 into smaller pieces 970 which can help to lower the effective viscosity of the composite fluid flowing through the aspiration lumen 902. By applying a significant vacuum/aspiration pressure on the proximal end of the aspiration lumen 902, the removal of thrombi 966 and any smaller pieces 970 of thrombi 966 can be optimized. The spray pattern 914 is at least partially diverted into a substantially proximally-oriented flow 955 after impingement upon the interior wall surface 916.

FIG. 33 illustrates the aspiration catheter 915 of FIG. 29 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 33 illustrates the aspiration catheter 915 in a first mode of operation configured to cause substantial aspiration of thrombi 966. A venturi effect is created by the spray pattern 919, which may comprise a jet. Suction is thus created at the distal opening 972 of the aspiration lumen 922 causing the thrombi 966 to be aspirated into the aspiration lumen 922. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 922 (e.g., with a vacuum source, such as a syringe, vacuum chamber or vacuum pump), thus maintaining the flow of the thrombi 966 through the aspiration lumen 922. The impingement of the spray pattern 919 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the reverse ramp 925 of the deflection element 929, opposite the orifice 928, may also macerate the thrombi 966 into smaller pieces 970 which can help to lower the effective viscosity of the composite fluid flowing through the aspiration lumen 902. By applying a significant vacuum/aspiration pressure on the proximal end of the aspiration lumen 922, the removal of thrombi 966 and any smaller pieces 970 of thrombi 966 can be optimized. The spray pattern 919 is at least partially diverted into a substantially proximally-oriented flow 957 after impingement upon the reverse ramp 925 of the deflection element 929.

FIG. 34 illustrates the aspiration catheter 934 of FIG. 30 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 34 illustrates the aspiration catheter 934 in a first mode of operation configured to cause substantial aspiration of thrombi 966. A venturi effect is created by the spray pattern 947, which may comprise a jet. Suction is thus created at the distal opening 974 of the aspiration lumen 936 causing the thrombi 966 to be aspirated into the aspiration lumen 936. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 936 (e.g., with a vacuum source, such as a syringe, vacuum chamber or vacuum pump), thus maintaining the flow of the thrombi 966 through the aspiration lumen 936. The impingement of the spray pattern 947 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the reverse ramp 944 of the deflection element 940, opposite the orifice 949, may also macerate the thrombi 966 into smaller pieces 970 which can help to lower the effective viscosity of the composite fluid flowing through the aspiration lumen 936. By applying a significant vacuum/aspiration pressure on the proximal end of the aspiration lumen 936, the removal of thrombi 966 and any smaller pieces 970 of thrombi 966 can be optimized. The spray pattern 947 is at least partially diverted into a substantially proximally-oriented flow 959 after impingement upon the reverse ramp 944 of the deflection element 940.

FIG. 35 illustrates the aspiration catheter 950 of FIG. 31 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 35 illustrates the aspiration catheter 950 in a first mode of operation configured to cause substantial aspiration of thrombi 966. A venturi effect is created by the spray pattern 960, which may comprise a jet. Suction is thus created at the distal opening 976 of the aspiration lumen 952 causing the thrombi 966 to be aspirated into the aspiration lumen 952. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 952 (e.g., with a vacuum source, such as a syringe, vacuum chamber or vacuum pump), thus maintaining the flow of the thrombi 966 through the aspiration lumen 952. The impingement of the spray pattern 960 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the interior wall surface 978 which is proximal to the deflection element 956, opposite the orifice 962, may also macerate the thrombi 966 into smaller pieces 970 which can help to lower the effective viscosity of the composite fluid flowing through the aspiration lumen 952. By applying a significant vacuum/aspiration pressure on the proximal end of the aspiration lumen 952, the removal of thrombi 966 and any smaller pieces 970 of thrombi 966 can be optimized. The spray pattern 960 is at least partially diverted into a substantially proximally-oriented flow 961 after impingement upon the interior wall surface 978 which is proximal to the deflection element 956.

FIG. 36 illustrates the aspiration catheter 900 of FIG. 28 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 36 illustrates the aspiration catheter 900 in a second mode of operation configured to deliver a fluid (such as a fluid comprising an agent) distally out the distal opening 968 of the aspiration lumen 902. The impingement of the spray pattern 914 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the interior wall surface 916 of the aspiration lumen 902, opposite the orifice 908, at least partially diverts the spray pattern 914 into a substantially distally-oriented flow 963. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be reduced, completely stopped, or simply not applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 902, thus allowing at least some of the spray pattern 914 to transform into the substantially distally-oriented flow 963 after impingement upon the interior wall surface 916. In some embodiments, the orifice 908 and/or the interior wall surface 916 may be configured such that in some conditions, the substantially distally-oriented flow 963 may itself be a jet. The agent may comprise a lytic agent, such as a thrombolytic agent, or may comprise a contrast agent. The substantially distally-oriented flow 963 may comprise 50% or more of the spray pattern 914 (upon deflection), or 60% or more, or 70% or more, or 80% or more, or 90% or more, or even 100%.

FIG. 37 illustrates the aspiration catheter 915 of FIG. 29 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 37 illustrates the aspiration catheter 915 in a second mode of operation configured to deliver a fluid (such as a fluid comprising an agent) distally out the distal opening 972 of the aspiration lumen 922. The impingement of the spray pattern 919 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the forward ramp 927 of the deflection element 929, opposite the orifice 928, at least partially diverts the spray pattern 919 into a substantially distally-oriented flow 965. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be reduced, completely stopped, or simply not applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 922, thus allowing at least some of the spray pattern 919 to transform into the substantially distally-oriented flow 965 after impingement upon the forward ramp 927 of the deflection element 929. In some embodiments, the orifice 928 and/or the forward ramp 927 of the deflection element 929 may be configured such that in some conditions, the substantially distally-oriented flow 965 may itself be a jet. The agent may comprise a lytic agent, such as a thrombolytic agent, or may comprise a contrast agent.

FIG. 38 illustrates the aspiration catheter 934 of FIG. 30 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 38 illustrates the aspiration catheter 934 in a second mode of operation configured to deliver a fluid (such as a fluid comprising an agent) distally out the distal opening 974 of the aspiration lumen 936. The impingement of the spray pattern 947 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the forward ramp 942 of the deflection element 940, opposite the orifice 949, at least partially diverts the spray pattern 947 into a substantially distally-oriented flow 967. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be reduced, completely stopped, or simply not applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 936, thus allowing at least some of the spray pattern 947 to transform into the substantially distally-oriented flow 967 after impingement upon the forward ramp 942 of the deflection element 940. In some embodiments, the orifice 949 and/or the forward ramp 942 of the deflection element 940 may be configured such that in some conditions, the substantially distally-oriented flow 967 may itself be a jet. The agent may comprise a lytic agent, such as a thrombolytic agent, or may comprise a contrast agent.

FIG. 39 illustrates the aspiration catheter 950 of FIG. 31 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 39 illustrates the aspiration catheter 950 in a second mode of operation configured to deliver a fluid (such as a fluid comprising an agent) distally out the distal opening 976 of the aspiration lumen 952. The impingement of the spray pattern 960 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the distally-oriented ramp 958 of the deflection element 956, opposite the orifice 962, at least partially diverts the spray pattern 960 into a substantially distally-oriented flow 969. In addition, an aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be reduced, completely stopped, or simply not applied at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 952, thus allowing at least some of the spray pattern 960 to transform into the substantially distally-oriented flow 969 after impingement upon the distally-oriented ramp 958 of the deflection element 956. In some embodiments, the orifice 962 and/or the distally-oriented ramp 958 of the deflection element 956 may be configured such that in some conditions, the substantially distally-oriented flow 969 may itself be a jet. The agent may comprise a lytic agent, such as a thrombolytic agent, or may comprise a contrast agent.

The delivery of an agent comprising a drug using the second mode of operation described in FIGS. 36-39 in relation to aspiration catheters 900, 915, 934, 950 may be achieved in a precise manner which allows for correct dosage, without wasting often-expensive drugs. The small inner diameter of transverse internal dimension of the supply lumen 904, 924, 938, 954 not only allows for precision and small volume introduction of the agent, but also avoids unwanted loss of agent when it is desired to suddenly stop injection. This is a significant improvement over standard, gravity-fed injection systems. In addition, the use of the pump base 200 (FIG. 12) to pressurize the supply lumen 904, 924, 938, 954 to deliver the agent adds additional precision, control, and lack of waste. This decreases the cost of a procedure, increases the accuracy of the drug treatment (or, for example, contrast delivery), and may also speed up the procedure, because of fewer errors to correct or steps to repeat. This in itself may be another element for saving cost. Though the word “aspiration” is used in defining the aspiration lumen 902, 922, 936, 952 and the aspiration catheters 900, 915, 934, 950, it should be apparent that a user may choose to use the aspiration catheters 900, 915, 934, 950 in the second mode only, as described in relation to FIGS. 36-39, and may in some cases choose to do so without any aspiration whatsoever.

FIG. 40 illustrates the aspiration catheter 900 of FIG. 28 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 40 illustrates the aspiration catheter 900 in a third mode of operation configured to deliver a fluid (such as a fluid comprising an agent) distally out the distal opening 968 of the aspiration lumen 902 while also causing at least some aspiration of thrombi 966. The impingement of the spray pattern 914 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the interior wall surface 916 of the aspiration lumen 902, opposite the orifice 908, at least partially splits the spray pattern 914 into a substantially distally-oriented flow 963 and a substantially proximally-oriented flow 955. An aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be applied, adjusted, increased, or reduced at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 902, thus allowing at least some of the spray pattern 914 to transform into the substantially distally-oriented flow 963 after impingement upon the interior wall surface 916 and at least some of the spray pattern 914 to transform into the substantially proximally-oriented flow 955 after impingement upon the interior wall surface 916. In some embodiments, the orifice 908 and/or the interior wall surface 916 may be configured such that in some conditions, the substantially distally-oriented flow 963 may itself be a jet. The agent may comprise a lytic agent, such as a thrombolytic agent, or may comprise a contrast agent.

FIG. 41 illustrates the aspiration catheter 934 of FIG. 30 in use within a blood vessel 964 as part of an aspiration system 10 or system for aspirating thrombus 100, 800. FIG. 41 illustrates the aspiration catheter 934 in a third mode of operation configured to deliver a fluid (such as a fluid comprising an agent) distally out the distal opening 974 of the aspiration lumen 936 while also causing at least some aspiration of thrombi 966. The impingement of the spray pattern 947 of the pressurized fluid 912 against the ramps 942, 944 of the deflection element 940, opposite the orifice 949, at least partially splits the spray pattern 947 into a substantially distally-oriented flow 967 and a substantially proximally-oriented flow 959. An aspiration pressure (negative pressure) may be applied, adjusted, increased, or reduced at a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 936, thus allowing at least some of the spray pattern 947 to transform into the substantially distally-oriented flow 967 after impingement upon the forward ramp 942 of the deflection element 940 and at least some of the spray pattern 947 to transform into the substantially proximally-oriented flow 959 after impingement upon the reverse ramp 944 of the deflection element 940. In some embodiments, the orifice 949 and/or the forward ramp 942 of the deflection element 940 may be configured such that in some conditions, the substantially distally-oriented flow 967 may itself be a jet. The agent may comprise a lytic agent, such as a thrombolytic agent, or may comprise a contrast agent.

FIG. 42 illustrates an aspiration catheter 1000 including a shaft 1001 having an aspiration lumen 1002, a first supply tube 1003 having a first supply lumen 1004 and a second supply tube 1005 having a second supply lumen 1006. The first supply tube 1003 and second supply tube 1005 are secured to an inner wall 1008 of the shaft 1001. The first supply lumen 1004 is configured to carry pressurized fluid 912, which may include saline, lytic (thrombolytic) agents, contrast agents, or other agents. The pressurized fluid 912 exits a first orifice 1010 of the first supply lumen 1004 in a spray pattern 1014 that is directed at an oblique, distally-oriented angle 1016 with respect to a longitudinal axis 1018 of the aspiration catheter 1000. The second supply lumen 1005 is configured to carry pressurized fluid 912, which may include saline, lytic (thrombolytic) agents, contrast agents, or other agents. The pressurized fluid 912 exits a second orifice 1020 of the second supply lumen 1006 in a spray pattern 1022 that is directed at an oblique, proximally-oriented angle 1024 with respect to the longitudinal axis 1018 of the aspiration catheter 1000.The agent or agents may be undiluted or may be diluted (e.g., with saline).

A first curved hollow tip extension 1026 includes an outer diameter at its proximal end 1012 that is inserted within the first supply lumen 1004 of the first supply tube 1003. The curve of the first curved hollow tip extension 1026 aims the spray pattern 1014 that exits the first orifice 1010 in the oblique, distally-oriented angle 1016 such that a substantially distally-oriented flow 1028 is directed, or oriented, outside the open distal end 1030 of the aspiration lumen 1002. A second curved hollow tip extension 1032 includes an outer diameter at its proximal end 1034 that is inserted within the second supply lumen 1006 of the second supply tube 1005. The curve of the second curved hollow tip extension 1032 aims the spray pattern 1022 that exits the second orifice 1020 in the oblique, proximally-oriented angle 1024 such that a substantially proximally-oriented flow 1038 is oriented towards an inner wall surface 1040 the aspiration lumen 1002. The application and adjustment of a negative pressure on a proximal end of the aspiration lumen 1002 may be used to adjust the extent of aspiration (e.g., of thrombus or blood) and the extent of delivery of an agent distally through the first orifice 1010.

FIG. 43 illustrates an aspiration catheter 1050 including a shaft 1051 having an aspiration lumen 1052, and a first supply tube 1053 having a first supply lumen 1054. The first supply tube 1053 bifurcates into a first tubular branch 1046 having a first branch lumen 1047 and a second tubular branch 1048 having a second branch lumen 1049. The first tubular branch 1046 and second tubular branch 1048 are secured to an inner wall 1056 of the shaft 1051. The first supply lumen 1054, first tubular branch 1046, and second tubular branch 1048 are configured to carry pressurized fluid 912, which may include saline, lytic (thrombolytic) agents, contrast agents, or other agents. The pressurized fluid 912 exits a first orifice 1058 of the first branch lumen 1047 in a spray pattern 1060 that is directed at an oblique, distally-oriented angle 1062 with respect to a longitudinal axis 1064 of the aspiration catheter 1050. The pressurized fluid 912 exits a second orifice 1066 of the second branch lumen 1049 in a spray pattern 1068 that is directed at an oblique, proximally-oriented angle 1070 with respect to the longitudinal axis 1064 of the aspiration catheter 1050.The agent or agents may be undiluted or may be diluted (e.g., with saline). One or more deflection members 1072 having one or more ramps 1074, 1076 (e.g., forward ramp 1074 and reverse ramp 1076) may be carried on an inner wall 1078 of the aspiration lumen 1052 for deflecting one or both spray patterns 1060, 1068 to produce a distally-oriented flow 1080 and/or proximally-oriented flow 1082. In other embodiments, the forward ramp 1074 and/or reverse ramp 1076 may simply be projections of the inner wall 1078, or may be formed by a deflection of the shaft 1001.

FIG. 44A illustrates a catheter 1200 having a shaft 1202 having a lumen 1203 and a supply tube 1204 having a supply lumen 1206. The supply tube 1204 is secured to an inner wall 1208 of the shaft 1202 and includes an orifice 1210 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1212, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1212 is directed against an opposing deflection member 1214 which may either be a separate component secured to the inner wall 1208 of the shaft 1202, or may be a formed portion of the shaft 1202. The lumen 1204 is a guidewire lumen configured for allowing the catheter 1200 to track over the guidewire (not shown). In use, the catheter 1200 is operated as an infusion catheter, and the guidewire may be retracted proximally to the orifice 1210 and deflection member 1214 so that they are able to function with less potential interference. In some cases, the guidewire may be removed entirely. In other embodiments, the lumen 1204 may be an aspiration lumen, configured for aspiration of material such as thrombus or other emboli. The lumen may alternatively have other purposes, for example as a conduit for larger volume injections or infusions. The deflection member 1214 has a flat surface extending transversely, or radially and is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1212. For example, the deflection member 1214 may be configured to deflect the spray pattern 1212 so that at least some of an agent carried by the spray pattern 1212 is urged out of the distal opening 1215 of the lumen 1204.

FIG. 44B illustrates a catheter 1216 including a shaft 1218 having a lumen 1220 and a supply tube 1222 having a supply lumen 1224. The supply tube 1222 is secured to an inner wall 1226 of the shaft 1218 and includes an orifice 1228 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1230, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1230 is directed against an opposing deflection member 1232 which may either be a separate component secured to the inner wall 1226 of the shaft 1218, or may be a formed portion of the shaft 1218. The lumen 1220, like the lumen 1203 of the catheter 1200 of FIG. 44A, may be a guidewire lumen and/or an aspiration lumen, or may have other purposes. The deflection member 1232 has a flat surface extending longitudinally, or axially, and is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1230. For example, the deflection member 1232 may be configured to deflect the spray pattern 1230 so that at least some of an agent carried by the spray pattern 1230 is urged out of the distal opening 1234 of the lumen 1220.

FIG. 45A illustrates a catheter 1236 having a shaft 1238 having a lumen 1240 and a supply tube 1242 having a supply lumen 1244. The supply tube 1242 is secured to an inner wall 1246 of the shaft 1238 and includes an orifice 1248 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1250, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1250 is directed against an opposing deflection member 1252 which may either be a separate component secured to the inner wall 1246 of the shaft 1238, or may be a formed portion of the shaft 1238. The lumen 1240 is a guidewire lumen configured for allowing the catheter 1236 to track over the guidewire (not shown). In use, the catheter 1236 is operated as an infusion catheter, and the guidewire may be retracted proximally to the orifice 1248 and deflection member 1252 so that they are able to function with less potential interference. In some cases, the guidewire may be removed entirely. In other embodiments, the lumen 1240 may be an aspiration lumen, configured for aspiration of material such as thrombus or other emboli. The lumen may alternatively have other purposes, for example as a conduit for larger volume injections or infusions. The deflection member 1252 has a convex surface when viewed from an end view, and is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1250. For example, the deflection member 1252 may be configured to deflect the spray pattern 1250 so that at least some of an agent carried by the spray pattern 1250 is urged out of the distal opening 1254 of the lumen 1240.

FIG. 45B illustrates a catheter 1256 including a shaft 1258 having a lumen 1260 and a supply tube 1262 having a supply lumen 1264. The supply tube 1262 is secured to an inner wall 1266 of the shaft 1258 and includes an orifice 1268 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1270, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1270 is directed against an opposing deflection member 1272 which may either be a separate component secured to the inner wall 1266 of the shaft 1258, or may be a formed portion of the shaft 1258. The lumen 1260 may be a guidewire lumen and/or an aspiration lumen, or may have other purposes. The deflection member 1272 has a convex surface when viewed from the side, and is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1270. For example, the deflection member 1272 may be configured to deflect the spray pattern 1270 so that at least some of an agent carried by the spray pattern 1270 is urged out of the distal opening 1274 of the lumen 1260.

FIG. 63 illustrates a catheter 1656 including a shaft 1658 having a lumen 1660 and a supply tube 1662 having a supply lumen 1664. The supply tube 1662 is secured to an inner wall 1666 of the shaft 1658 and includes an orifice 1668 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1670, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1670 is directed against an opposing deflection member 1672 which may either be a separate component secured to the inner wall 1666 of the shaft 1658, or may be a formed portion of the shaft 1658. The lumen 1660 may be a guidewire lumen and/or an aspiration lumen, or may have other purposes. The deflection member 1672 has a sloped surface when viewed from the side, and is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1670 substantially distally such that it is urged out of the distal opening 1674 of the lumen 1660. The deflection member 1672, when formed as a separate component, may comprise a metallic component or a polymeric component.

FIG. 64 illustrates a catheter 1756 including a shaft 1658 having a lumen 1760 and a supply tube 1762 having a supply lumen 1764. The supply tube 1762 is secured to an inner wall 1766 of the shaft 1758 and includes an orifice 1768 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1770, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1770 is directed against an opposing deflection member 1772 which may either be a separate component secured to the inner wall 1766 of the shaft 1758, or may be a formed portion of the shaft 1758. The lumen 1760 may be a guidewire lumen and/or an aspiration lumen, or may have other purposes. The deflection member 1772 has a sloped surface when viewed from the side, and is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1770 substantially proximally. The deflection member 1772, when formed as a separate component, may comprise a metallic component or a polymeric component.

FIGS. 46A and 46B illustrate a catheter 1276 having a shaft 1278 having a lumen 1280 and a supply tube 1282 having a supply lumen 1284. The supply tube 1282 is secured to an inner wall 1286 of the shaft 1278 and includes an orifice 1288 configured for directing pressurized fluid to exit in a spray pattern 1290, which may form a jet. The spray pattern 1290 is directed against an opposing adjustable deflection member 1292 having at least two states, a first state (FIG. 46A) and a second state (FIG. 46B). In the embodiment shown, the adjustable deflection member 1292 comprises a balloon secured to the inner wall 1286 of the shaft 1278 such that it may be inflated or deflated via a fluid passage 1294 within or carried by the shaft 1278. An inflation device with or without a volume measurement device, pressure sensor, and/or pressure gauge may be coupled to a proximal end of the fluid passage 1294, to thus aid in the inflation or deflation of the balloon. The lumen 1280 is a guidewire lumen, configured for allowing the catheter 1276 to track over the guidewire (not shown). In use, the catheter 1276 is operated as an infusion catheter, and the guidewire may be retracted proximally to the orifice 1288 and adjustable deflection member 1292 so that they are able to function with less potential interference. In some cases, the guidewire may be removed entirely. In other embodiments, the lumen 1280 may be an aspiration lumen, configured for aspiration of material such as thrombus or other emboli. The lumen may alternatively have other purposes, for example as a conduit for larger volume injections or infusions.

The adjustable deflection member 1292, in at least one of its two or more states, is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1290. For example, the adjustable deflection member 1292 may be configured to deflect the spray pattern 1290 so that at least some of an agent carried by the spray pattern 1290 is urged out of the distal opening 1296 of the lumen 1280. In a first state displayed in FIG. 46A, the adjustable deflection member 1292 is deflated, or in other words, its interior volume 1298 is substantially empty. This first state may be desired if, for example, passing the catheter 1276 over a guidewire that extends through the lumen 1280, or if aspirating through the lumen 1280 (with or without the guidewire in place). In another version of the first state, a vacuum (negative pressure) may additionally be placed and held on the fluid passage 1294 (e.g., from an evacuated syringe or evacuated locking syringe on the proximal end of the fluid passage 1294) to minimize the profile of the deflated adjustable deflection member 1292 and thus maximize the cross-sectional area of the lumen 1280 in this area. In a second state displayed in FIG. 46B, fluid has been injected through the fluid passage 1294 (e.g., by a syringe or other type of inflation device) and into the interior volume 1298 of the adjustable deflection member 1292 through an aperture 1299 between the fluid passage 1294 and the interior volume 1298. The adjustable deflection member 1292 in its second state is configured to deflect the spray pattern 1290 in a desired direction, such as at least partially out through the distal opening 1296 of the lumen 1280. The shape of the inflated adjustable deflection member 1292 is depicted in FIG. 46B as having a convex nature, but in other embodiments, the balloon or other structure constituting the adjustable deflection member 1292 may be fabricated to form one or more linear ramps, or other shapes. In addition, there may be several different shapes or sizes that may be achieved by adjusting the adjustable deflection member 1292 into several different states, by injecting different volumes of fluid into the interior volume 1298. During fabrication, the shape of the adjustable deflection member 1292 may be heat formed by use of one or more molds or fixtures. An additional state may even be possible, wherein the adjustable deflection member 1292 in inflated enough to substantially or completely block off the lumen 1280, or to partially or completely block the orifice 1288. This additional state may be desired, for example, in cases during which an embolus is aspirated into the catheter, and it is desired to maintain the embolus within the catheter 1276 securely, while removing the catheter 1276 from the patient.

FIG. 47 illustrates a supply tube 1300 having a lumen 1302, a wall 1304, and an orifice 1306 through the wall 1304. A spray pattern 1308 exiting the orifice 1306, emanating from pressurized fluid within the lumen 1302, has a substantially solid or straight stream, wherein the width (or diameter) W of the stream does not significantly increase. FIG. 48 illustrates a supply tube 1310 having a lumen 1312, a wall 1314, and an orifice 1316 through the wall 1314. A spray pattern 1318 exiting the orifice 1316, emanating from pressurized fluid within the lumen 1312, has a divergent stream having an included angle x. FIG. 49 illustrates a three-dimensional depiction of a spray pattern 1320 having a divergent stream, which thus gives the spray pattern 1320 a conical shape 1322.

FIG. 50 illustrates a supply tube 1324 having a lumen 1326, a wall 1328, and an orifice 1330 through the wall 1328. A spray pattern 1332 exiting the orifice 1330, emanating from pressurized fluid within the lumen 1326, has a stream having a hollow conical shape 1334. FIG. 51 illustrates a supply tube 1336 having a lumen 1338, a wall 1340, and a rectangular orifice 1342 through the wall 1340. A spray pattern 1344 exiting the rectangular orifice 1342, emanating from pressurized fluid within the lumen 1338, has a stream having a divergent wedge shape 1346.

FIG. 52 illustrates a supply tube 1348 having a lumen 1350, a wall 1352, and an orifice 1354 through the wall 1352. A spray pattern 1356 exiting the orifice 1354, emanating from pressurized fluid within the lumen 1350, has a directional vector V that is angled at an angle y with respect to an axis AO of the orifice 1354. The directional vector represents a central portion of the spray pattern 1356. The spray pattern 1356 diverges and has an included angle x. The spray pattern has a distal-most extremity 1355 and a proximal-most extremity 1357. The distal-most extremity 1355 forms an angle z_(D) with the axis AO of the orifice 1354 and the proximal-most extremity 1357 forms an angle z_(P) with the axis AO of the orifice 1354. In other embodiments, the spray pattern 1356 may have a shape similar to any of the spray patterns 1308, 1318, 1320, 1332, 1344 of FIGS. 47-51, or any other shape.

Any of the shapes of the spray patterns 1308, 1318, 1320, 1332, 1344, 1356 may be tailored by modifying the structure of the orifice in the wall of the supply tube (transverse dimension, diameter, length or wall thickness, angle, taper angle, cross-sectional shape), which facilitates the spray pattern(s) interfacing with the interior wall surface 916, 1040, 1078 or deflection elements/members 929, 940, 956, 1072, 1214, 1232, 1252, 1272, 1292 to create a number of different flow shapes, including substantially distally-oriented flow and/or substantially proximally-oriented flow. The spray patterns 1308, 1318, 1320, 1332, 1344, 1356 may be tailored to comprise a jet, a stream, a mist, or other spray physical characteristics. The spray patterns 1308, 1318, 1320, 1332, 1344, 1356 may convertible between any of these different modes or shapes with the aid of varying the pressure of the pressurized fluid.

FIG. 53 illustrates an aspiration catheter 1360 which has been inserted into a blood vessel 1362 (artery, vein, etc.) and advanced such that the open distal end 1364 of the aspiration lumen 1366 is adjacent a thrombus/clot 1368. The aspiration catheter 1360 also includes a supply tube 1370 having a supply lumen 1372, and a guiding tube 1374 having a guidewire lumen 1376 configured for tracking over a guidewire 1378. A dilute or nondilute contrast media is pressurized by syringe, pump or other means through the supply lumen 1372 such that it exits the orifice 1380 at the distal end 1382 of the supply lumen 1372. A jet spray 1384 may include a distal component and/or a proximal component. The distal component 1386 (FIG. 54) may be a substantially distally-oriented component, and may at least partially exit the open distal end 1364 of the aspiration lumen 1366. The distal component 1386, as it fills a volume around the thrombus/clot 1368 (FIG. 54), may be viewed under radiography or fluoroscopy to identify a boundary 1388 of the thrombus/clot 1368. If the boundary 1388 is located within a desired proximity to the open distal end 1364 the aspiration lumen 1366 of the aspiration catheter 1360, the user may desire to inject or pump (e.g., with syringe or pump), using a high pressure, through the supply lumen 1372, to start or to continue a thrombolysis procedure. In some cases, the user may use the dilute or non-dilute contrast media to perform the thrombolysis procedure. In some cases, the dilute or non-dilute contrast media may be combined or mixed with a lytic agent. In other cases, the user may replace the dilute or non-dilute contrast media with saline or a lytic agent, for example, by priming the supply lumen. If instead the boundary 1388 is located distal to the open distal end 1364 of the aspiration lumen 1366 of the aspiration catheter 1360 by more than a desired amount, the user may choose to advance the aspiration catheter 1360 until the open distal end 1364 is within the desired proximity to the boundary 1388 of the thrombus/clot 1368. In some cases, the desired proximity may be when the open distal end 1364 is flush with the boundary 1388 of the thrombus/clot 1368. In some cases, the desired proximity may be when the open distal end 1364 is about one mm from the boundary 1388 of the thrombus/clot 1368. In some cases, the desired proximity may be when the open distal end 1364 is about five mm from the boundary 1388 of the thrombus/clot 1368. Once the user advances the aspiration catheter 1360 such that the open distal end 1364 is within the desired proximity of the boundary 1688 of the thrombus/clot 1368, the user may start or continue the thrombolysis procedure.

FIG. 55 illustrates a method in which a user continually or temporarily injects or “puffs” small amounts 1396 of contrast agent (or contrast agent mixtures as described), in order to continually delineate the boundary 1388 of the thrombus/clot 1368, and the proximity of the open distal end 1364 of the aspiration lumen 1366 of the aspiration catheter 1360. In any of the embodiments presented herein, the distal end 1390 of the aspiration catheter 1360 may comprise a radiopaque marker or marker band 1392. In some embodiments, the catheter tubing 1394 may be radiopaque tubing, comprising radiopaque materials, including, but not limited to barium-sulfate, tantalum oxide, or titanium oxide.

FIG. 56 illustrates a catheter system 1400 comprising a catheter 1402 having a supply lumen 1404, and lumen 1406. A wall 1410 surrounding the supply lumen 1404 includes an orifice 1408. A mandrel 1412 having a proximal end 1414 and a distal end 1416 extends through the lumen 1406. The distal end 1416 may have a curved portion 1418 (or hook portion) that includes a concavity 1420 for engaging a wall 1422 of the catheter 1402. The mandrel 1412 may be configured for insertion through the lumen 1406 such that the concavity 1420 engages the distal end 1424 of the wall 1422 (e.g., at the open distal end 1426) in a manner that traction (arrow, FIG. 57) may be placed by a user on the mandrel 1412, thereby pulling the distal end 1428 of the catheter 1402 in a proximal direction. This traction, coupled with the column strength of the catheter 1402, causes the distal end 1428 of the catheter 1402 to flex, as shown in FIG. 57. In some cases, the amount of flexure may be controlled by a particular force applied on the proximal end 1414 of the mandrel 1412 (e.g., by hand, or by a grasping tool which is connected to the proximal end 1414 by a collet or other lock), such that the jet of fluid 1430 exiting the orifice 1408 is steered such that it impinges on an adjacent structure (such as a thrombus/clot 1432). In some embodiments, the lumen 1406 may serve as an aspiration lumen, according to other embodiments described herein, and may also be used to aspirate at least some of the thrombus 1432. In this embodiment, the mandrel 1412 may also be used to disengage the lumen 1406 from a thrombus 1432, in cases where the thrombus 1432 becomes engaged, via vacuum, with the open distal end 1426 of the lumen 1406. Contrast media may be added to the fluid being delivered through the supply lumen 1404, in order to better visualize the location and status of the thrombus 1432. Contrast media may even be delivered through the lumen 1406, if the lumen 1406 is not actively being used to aspirate. A user may flex the distal end 1428 of the catheter 1402 back and forth such that the jet of fluid 1430 disrupts various areas/regions of the thrombus 1432. Additionally, the user applies a vacuum to the lumen 1406 to remove disrupted/macerated thrombus from the blood vessel 1362. A more thorough and efficient removal of the thrombus 1432 is thus possible.

FIG. 58 illustrates a catheter system 1434 having most of the characteristics of the catheter system 1400 of FIGS. 56 and 57, but with an additional preformed shape. A mandrel 1436 is configured to flex the distal end 1438 of the catheter 1440, but the distal end 1438 of the catheter 1440 additionally has a preformed curve 1442. Thus, a large flexure angle F range is possible, allowing the jet 1444 itself to strike a thrombus with many different possible trajectories. FIG. 62 illustrates a catheter system 1530 which combines the controlled flexure of the catheter system 1434 of FIG. 58 with internal deflection of a jet. A catheter 1532 includes a lumen 1534, a supply tube 1536 having a supply lumen 1538, and a tension mandrel 1540. The supply lumen 1538 terminates at its distal end 1542 in an orifice 1544. In a first flexural state (above), a jet 1546 deflects from a first point 1548 on the inner wall 1550 and deflects in a first substantially distally-oriented flow 1552. In a second flexural state (below), a jet 1554 deflects from a second point 1556 on the inner wall 1550 and deflects in a second substantially distally-oriented flow 1558. Because the first substantially distally-oriented flow 1552 and the second substantially distally-oriented flow 1558 are oriented in different vectors, the steering of a distal jet or flow is possible by controlled traction on the tension mandrel 1540. Thus, for the catheter system 1434 of FIG. 58 and the catheter system 1530 of FIG. 62 allow for the steering of a distally-oriented flow or jet, but by different catheter means.

FIGS. 59A and 59B illustrate an aspiration system 1450 comprising an aspiration catheter 1452 having a supply lumen 1454, an aspiration lumen 1456 and an orifice 1458 communicating between the supply lumen 1454 and the aspiration lumen 1456, and a mandrel 1460 having a proximal end 1462 and a distal end 1464, the distal end 1464 including an enlarged portion 1466. The enlarged portion 1466 of the mandrel 1460 may include a hook (e.g., shepherd's crook), a curve, or other structure which is effective in disrupting a thrombus 1468 when the mandrel 1460 (and thus the enlarged portion 1466) is made to rotate 1470 and/or to longitudinally translate 1472. The mandrel 1460 may be inserted through the aspiration lumen 1456 of the aspiration catheter 1452 and may be rotated by attaching the proximal end 1462 of the mandrel 1460 to a rotation device 1474. The rotation device 1474 may also translate the mandrel 1460 back-and-forth longitudinally. The rotation device 1474 may include comprise such devices as a SPINR™ device marketed by Merit Medical Systems, Inc., (South Jordan, Utah, USA) or a FireBow™ device marketed by Vesatek, LLC (Irvine, Calif., USA). The enlarged portion 1466 may be used to disrupt a fibrous and/or calcified cap 1476 at one end of a thrombus 1468 by applying a disruptive force through rotation and/or cyclic longitudinal displacement. A convex or blunt portion 1478 of the enlarged portion 1466 may form an atraumatic end to the mandrel 1460. The rotation device 1474 comprises a handle 1480, a motor 1482, a rotatable chuck or lock 1484, and a transmission 1486 that is configured to couple movement from the motor into movement (e.g., rotation and/or longitudinal translation) of the rotatable chuck or lock 1484. The transmission 1486 may in some embodiments include gearing. A switch 1488 may be pressed by a user while the user holds the handle 1480, to turn the rotation/movement on or off In some embodiments, the mandrel 1460 may also be usable in the manner of the mandrel 1412 of FIGS. 56 and 57 or the mandrel 1436 of FIG. 58.

FIG. 60 illustrates as system for removing intracranial thrombus or intracranial hematoma (illustrated simply as BC-blood clots) through a window, aperture, or hole in the cranium of a patient. The window, aperture, or hole may be made by any suitable device, including, but not limited to a hand drill having a burr or other cutting element. Referring to FIG. 60, a trocar 1156, for example a four-channel trocar, can be introduced through an introducer 1100 close to the treatment area where blood clots BC are located. A visualization device 1158 such as a scope device, including but not limited to the NeuroPen (Medtronic Inc.) or the Epic Microvision (Codman, J&J Company, Piscataway, N.J.), may be introduced in the visualization channel of the trocar 1156, and an ultrasound device 1112 may be introduced into the working channel of the trocar 1156. The ultrasound device 1112 may transmit, for example, at frequencies between about 1 kHz and about 20 MHz, and may be configured to disrupt or break up the blood clot BC.

FIG. 60 shows a cross sectional view of a human skull and brain, showing an introducer 1100 placed through the aperture in the skull. The trocar device 1156 is placed through the introducer 1100 and positioned within the treatment area where blood clots BC are located. The middle cerebral artery MCA is also shown. Often, the trocar 1156 can be introduced directly into the aperture in the skull without use of the introducer 1100. A visualization device 1158 may be introduced through the visualization channel of the trocar 1156. The visualization device 1158 is connected to a monitor (not shown) through a cable 1159. Some visualization devices (such as scopes) have an ocular element that can be used for visualization instead of a monitor. An ultrasound device 1112 having a handle 1157 is introduced through the working channel of the trocar 1156. Before the procedure, the physician directs the trocar 1156 under the visualization device 1158 to the location of the blood clots BC, and then positions the distal end of the ultrasound device 1112 inside the blood clots and activates ultrasound energy delivery. The physician has the ability to simultaneously observe the field of therapy with a visualization device 1158 while the therapeutic device 1112 dissolves and aspirates blood clots from the patient's head. Blood clots maybe aspirated through an irrigation or overflow channel, which is analogous to the aspiration lumens of the aspiration catheters described herein. Also, blood clots may be aspirated through the ultrasound device 1112. Suitable systems for removing intracranial thrombus or intracranial hematoma are described by Nita in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0330196, published Dec. 27, 2012, and titled Method and Apparatus for Removing Blood Clots and Tissue from the Patient's Head, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

To further improve the ability to dissolve blood clots BC, delivery of one or more pharmacologic agents or microbubbles or nanobubbles to the clot location may be helpful. Such pharmacologic agents, microbubbles or nanobubbles can be delivered directly or in mixture with a conventional saline to the treatment location.

Cerebral temperature has been recognized as a strong factor in ischemic brain damage. Clinical evidence has shown that hypothermia ameliorates brain damage. Also, a therapeutic cooling to between 30° C. or 35° C. that includes the patient head or a whole body (systemic cooling) may reduce ischemic brain damage; reduce intracranial pressure and edema after ICH. Focused cranial cooling can be achieved with a simple method of placing ice or cold gel packs around the head or neck. Systemic cooling maybe be done by infusing ice-cold saline using intravenous (IV) approach.

Any of the embodiments described herein may be used conjunction with the Apollo™ System (Penumbra, Inc., Alameda, Calif., USA).

In some cases, parts or all of the devices described herein may be doped with, made of, coated with, or otherwise include a radiopaque material. Radiopaque materials are understood to be materials capable of producing a relatively bright image on a fluoroscopy screen or another imaging technique during a medical procedure. Some examples of radiopaque materials can include, but are not limited to, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten alloy, polymer material loaded with a radiopaque filler, and the like. One or more hydrophilic or hydrophobic lubricious coatings may be used in order to improve trackability of the aspiration catheter 118 through the blood vessels.

In some instances, a degree of MRI compatibility may be imparted into parts of the devices described herein. For example, to enhance compatibility with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, it may be desirable to make various portions of the devices described herein from materials that do not substantially distort MRI images or cause substantial artifacts (gaps in the images). Some ferromagnetic materials, for example, may not be suitable as they may create artifacts in an MRI image. In some cases, the devices described herein may include materials that the MRI machine can image. Some materials that exhibit these characteristics include, for example, tungsten, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30003 such as ELGILOY®, PHYNOX®, and the like), nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys (e.g., UNS: R30035 such as MP35-N® and the like), nitinol, and the like, and others.

In some instances, some of the devices described herein may include a coating such as a lubricious coating or a hydrophilic coating. Hydrophobic coatings such as fluoropolymers provide a dry lubricity. Lubricious coatings improve steerability and improve lesion crossing capability. Suitable lubricious polymers are well known in the art and may include silicone and the like, hydrophilic polymers such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyarylene oxides, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylalcohols, hydroxy alkyl cellulosics, algins, saccharides, caprolactones, and the like, and mixtures and combinations thereof. Hydrophilic polymers may be blended among themselves or with formulated amounts of water insoluble compounds (including some polymers) to yield coatings with suitable lubricity, bonding, and solubility.

It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims, and their equivalents. Embodiments of the present invention are contemplated to have utility in a variety of blood vessels, including but not limited to coronary arteries, carotid arteries, intracranial/cerebral arteries, inferior and superior vena cavae and other veins (for example, in cases of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism), peripheral arteries, shunts, grafts, vascular defects, and chambers of the heart. This includes, but is not limited to, any vessel having a diameter of bout two mm or greater. An aspiration catheter 118 outer diameter of about seven French or less is contemplated for many of the applications, though in certain applications, it may be larger. In some embodiments, an aspiration catheter 118 diameter of about six French or less is contemplated. Embodiments of the present invention may even be used in non-vascular applications, for example body lumens or cavities having material accumulations that need to be macerated and/or removed.

It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed above may be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, they can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication.

The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers (e.g., about 10%=10%), and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for delivering an agent comprising: providing an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising: a supply lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall; an aspiration lumen having a proximal end, an open distal end, and an interior wall surface adjacent the open distal end; and at least one orifice at or adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the aspiration lumen, the at least one orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the at least one orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen; inserting the distal end of the aspiration catheter into a blood vessel such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen is adjacent a thrombus; and injecting an agent through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern of the agent generally flows in a first direction out of the at least one orifice and against the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen, whereby after the spray pattern of the agent reaches the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen the majority of the spray pattern of the agent flows in a second direction distally out the open end of the aspiration lumen and adjacent the thrombus, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the injecting step comprises avoiding, reducing, or eliminating the application of negative pressure on the aspiration lumen.
 3. A method for visualizing a thrombectomy process comprising: providing an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface, an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, the orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen; inserting the distal end of the aspiration catheter into a blood vessel such that the open distal end of the aspiration lumen is adjacent a thrombus; injecting fluid comprising a radiopaque contrast media through the supply lumen while visualizing a radiographic or fluoroscopic image; and identifying a boundary of the thrombus.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the injecting step comprises hand injection.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the hand injection utilizes a syringe.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the fluid comprises a lytic agent.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent.
 8. The method of claim 3, further comprising: advancing the aspiration catheter.
 9. A system for aspirating thrombus comprising: an aspiration catheter having a supply lumen and an aspiration lumen, the supply lumen having a distal end and a wall, the aspiration lumen having an open distal end and an interior wall surface; an orifice adjacent the distal end of the supply lumen, in fluid communication with the interior of the aspiration lumen, the orifice located proximally of the open distal end of the aspiration lumen, wherein the orifice is configured to create a spray pattern when pressurized fluid is pumped through the supply lumen such that the spray pattern impinges on the interior wall surface of the aspiration lumen when a distal end of the aspiration catheter is immersed within an aqueous environment; and an elongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including an enlarged portion, wherein the elongate wire is configured to be rotatable such that the enlarged portion is capable of disrupting at least a portion of a thrombus.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least a portion of the thrombus comprises a fibrous cap of the thrombus. 